European Infrastructure Giants Gather in Istanbul for ASECAP Days
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu: “There Can Be No International Trade Corridor Without Turkey”
Istanbul is hosting Europe’s leading highway operators. The ASECAP Days Summit, organized annually by the European Association of Toll Road Infrastructure Operators (ASECAP), began in Istanbul under the auspices of ICA in the 100th year of our Republic. The 50th ASECAP Days Summit, where thought leaders in highway operation in Europe are hosted, saw the participation of 200 international companies. Speaking at the opening of the summit, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said, “Turkey is the starting point of Europe. The realization of our Development Road project, which will connect the Basra Gulf to Europe through Turkey, will make our partnership with the European Union even more important and underscore the fact that there can be no international trade corridor without Turkey.”
The 50th ASECAP Days Summit, organized annually by the European Association of Toll Road Infrastructure Operators (ASECAP), began in Istanbul. Attending the opening of the summit at the Fairmont Quasar Istanbul Hotel, hosted by ICA, were Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Director-General of Highways Ahmet Gülşen, ICA General Manager Serhat Soğukpınar, ASECAP President Josef Fiala, and ASECAP Secretary-General Malika Seddi. The opening ceremony also included IRF (International Road Federation) President Anouar Benazzouz and IBTTA (International Bridge, Tunnel, and Toll Association) CEO Patrick Jones.
“Our Need for Knowledge, Science, Innovation, and Sharing Will Continue to Grow”
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated in his opening speech at the summit, “It is understood from the distance we have covered as Turkey that our need for knowledge, science, innovation, and sharing will continue to grow in our future work. In this context, I believe that ASECAP DAYS 2023 will be instrumental in technical and commercial cooperation in Istanbul.” Emphasizing that Turkey holds a very important geostrategic position connecting three continents, namely Asia, Africa, and Europe, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said, “Without a doubt, Turkey is the starting point of Europe. Especially our Development Road project, which is on our agenda and will connect the Basra Gulf to Europe through Turkey, is a very important project for all of us. The realization of this project will make our partnership with the European Union even more important and underscore the fact that there can be no international trade corridor without Turkey.” Minister Uraloğlu also pointed out that Turkey, with the awareness of how important it is as a corridor for international trade, has made significant progress in large-scale projects requiring advanced technology and said, “We are proud to take our country to the forefront of the era with divided roads, highways, mega projects, and smart transportation systems.”
“ASECAP Days 2023 Istanbul Event Opened the Doors of Two Continents for ASECAP”
ASECAP President Josef Fiala, drawing attention to the fact that the 50th ASECAP Days was held in Istanbul in the 100th year of the Turkish Republic, emphasized Istanbul’s status as a gateway to both Asia and Europe, saying, “Therefore, with this event, the doors of two continents have also opened to ASECAP.” Fiala continued, “We are in a period where personal mobility has reached an all-time high. Therefore, inclusivity and equal access have become very important. As ASECAP, we are aware of our responsibilities. We need progress and innovation more than ever. In this summit, we will discuss best practices and what needs to be done to provide the most advanced infrastructure.”
“ASECAP Will Create New Collaboration Opportunities for the Future of the Transportation Sector”
ICA General Manager Serhat Soğukpınar highlighted that the future of highway transportation will be witnessed during ASECAP Days 2023, which will last for two days. Soğukpınar said, “We are proud and happy to host this organization, which includes 200 international and more than 400 sector representatives in total, on the 100th anniversary of our Republic and the 50th anniversary of ASECAP. Roads not only shorten geographical distances but also connect countries, promote cultural exchange, and increase collaboration opportunities. I believe that this important event, by serving this purpose, will create new collaboration opportunities for the future of the transportation sector.”
200 international companies participated
The 50th ASECAP Days Summit, where thought leaders in highway operation in Europe are hosted, saw the participation of more than 400 highway, bridge, and tunnel operators from 20 different countries, including 200 international companies. The agenda of the summit, which brings the focus of the global transportation industry to Turkey, includes topics such as “How to Finance Transportation Infrastructure and Assist in Achieving Equality and Efficiency? What are the Good Practices in This Regard? What are the Best Ways to Link Finance to Environmental and Safety Goals as an Economic Empowerment? Which Innovative Financing Instruments Will Attract Private Funds to Mobility Infrastructure Investments?”
About ASECAP
Founded in 1973, ASECAP takes on the role of a reference organization in the establishment and development of regulations related to private highway operation, toll collection, maintenance, and repair within the European Union. ASECAP includes firms that operate highways, bridges, and tunnels from a total of 19 countries, each of which can be only one principal member from each country. ASECAP members are responsible for the operation of over 81,000 kilometers of highways, bridges, and tunnels today, and this transportation network constitutes a significant part of the Trans-European Road Network (TEN-T).
The 50th ASECAP Days Summit is being held in Istanbul in the 100th year of the Turkish Republic, hosting Europe’s infrastructure giants. The agenda of ASECAP Days this year includes sessions such as “Innovative Solutions for Toll Collection, Innovative Finance Models for Comprehensive Mobility Plans, Sustainable Asset Management and Project Delivery Model, Innovative Approaches in Road Safety.”
