The Union of Road Transport Associations in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Region (BSEC-URTA) attended ESPORG Annual Conference and events in Brussels on 3-4 March 2026. The annual events were preceded by a bilateral meeting between ESPORG and BSEC-URTA management organized on 2 March at ESPORG office in Brussels.
The visit marked an important step toward strengthening cooperation between European and Black Sea transport stakeholders, with a shared vision: expanding secure, safe, and well-equipped truck parking infrastructure across key transport corridors.
The bilateral meeting between ESPORG and BSEC-URTA, brought together BSEC-URTA President Mr. Eduart Kasa, Deputy President Ms. Olivera Miovska, and Deputy Secretary General Mr. Alpdoğan Kahraman. They engaged in constructive discussions with ESPORG General Manager Mr. Dirk Penasse and the ESPORG team, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the European secure parking organisation and transport stakeholders from the Black Sea region.
This strategic meeting focused on advancing the development of secure truck parking areas in the BSEC region and their certification in line with the EU parking standard.
At the heart of the dialogue was a shared recognition of the essential role professional drivers play in sustaining international trade and supply chains. Both organizations emphasized the urgent need to provide drivers with secure, comfortable, and accessible parking facilities—an issue that directly impacts safety, efficiency, and the attractiveness of the profession.
A Shared Vision for Secure Parking and Drivers’ Wellbeing
On 3-4 March, the BSEC-URTA delegation attended ESPORG Annual Conference and events in Bruxelles. Discussions underlined the importance of truck parking infrastructure not only for operational efficiency, but also for professional drivers’ wellbeing, as a tool to address the growing driver shortage. Certified parking facilities—taking into account gender-specific needs and modern expectations—can significantly improve the profession’s appeal to a new generation of drivers.
The visit of BSEC-URTA to Brussels facilitated a fruitful exchange of knowledge and best practices with ESPORG, providing a strong foundation for extending the standards of secure parking infrastructure beyond the EU.
By working together, ESPORG and BSEC-URTA are paving the way for improved driver wellbeing and stronger transport connectivity across Europe and beyond.
