“The Middle Corridor is gaining strategic importance.”
“Elchi” reports that Binali Yıldırım, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, stated this at the opening ceremony of the XIII Global Baku Forum.
“The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian route, is increasingly attracting attention as a strategic alternative connecting the Far East with Europe. Recent global events have further emphasized the importance of these alternative connections. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has significantly impacted traditional transport routes across Eurasia. At the same time, tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, the US, and Israel are increasing uncertainty in the global energy market and international trade. This situation demonstrates how vulnerable global supply chains can be when geopolitical tensions rise. In such a context, diverse and reliable transport corridors are becoming increasingly valuable for regional and global economic stability. The Middle Corridor is considered not only an economic opportunity but also an important element of resilience in the international trade system. Therefore, the Middle Corridor is gaining strategic importance,” Binali Yıldırım emphasized.
Binali Yıldırım noted that the Middle Corridor offers faster and more diverse routes connecting Asia and Europe, strengthening economic cooperation between countries: “Currently, the cargo transported through this Corridor is approximately 5–6 million tons annually. With the continuation of infrastructure works, improvement of logistics coordination, and enhancement of customs procedures, the growth prospects are very promising. Next year, border crossing capacities will be significantly increased. This connection will shorten transit times, reduce transportation costs, and increase the efficiency of trade flows across Eurasia. For Central Asian countries, this will create opportunities for access to global markets. For Azerbaijan, it strengthens its role as a key logistics hub in the Caspian region, and for Turkey, it solidifies its role as an important gateway between Asia and Europe.” (apa)