Brussels, 07/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - A global 0.4% increase in freight road transport by the end of 2013 has confirmed signs of Europe's economic recovery, according to an analysis by the International Road Transport Union (IRU). The IRU's Road Transport Indices analyses data from 63 OECD countries and is forecasting a 1.3% increase in freight volumes in the European Union in 2014. The IRU's Head of Sustainable Development, Jens Hügel, said that the figures show that there is a general upward trend in Europe but that “Europe remains outpaced by BRIC and TRACECA countries, which show better performances in transport volumes in 2013 and are likely to continue doing so in 2014”. Improved forecasts in Europe in 2014 cannot, however, compare with the forecasts for these groups of countries: the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, China and India) are looking at growth in freight transport this year of 5% and TRACTEA (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Moldova, Romania, Tadjikistan, Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan) road transport operators will be looking at 3.7% growth. (MD/transl.fl)