7 nations including Türkiye establish Eurasian Transport Route Association

The railway administrations of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, China and Austria have agreed to establish the Eurasian Transport Route Association, headquartered in Baku. This decision was finalized following a consultative meeting in the Azerbaijani capital on Friday.

“All official procedures will be completed in the near future, and the International Association Eurasian Transport Route will be formed,” announced Rovshan Rustamov, chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, during a press briefing.

The meeting brought together the heads of railway administrations from the participating nations to discuss the project’s framework.

Enhancing Middle Corridor

Rustamov emphasized the importance of forming a collegial body to enhance the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).

This corridor connects China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye, and eventually European countries.

“The Association must carry out structured work, develop a corridor concept, formulate a tariff policy, and explore the implementation of digital solutions to ensure faster and safer transport,” Rustamov explained.

The aim is to make the Middle Corridor more efficient and attractive for international trade, improving the overall operations of the route.

Strategic importance of Middle Corridor

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route is crucial in facilitating transport between Asia and Europe. The operational Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which links Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye, forms a significant part of this corridor.

The newly established Eurasian Transport Route Association will oversee the coordination and development of this route, ensuring its sustainability and competitiveness in the global market.