FM Fidan emphasizes Middle Corridor’s key role in trade at trilateral meeting

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan underscored the strategic significance of the Middle Corridor as the most reliable and cost-effective trade route between Asia and Europe.

Speaking at the Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Trilateral Meeting of Foreign, Trade, Economy, and Transport Ministers in Ankara, Fidan emphasized the need for stronger economic and infrastructural cooperation among the three nations.

Middle Corridor as most reliable trade route

Fidan stated that recent global challenges have reinforced the Middle Corridor’s role as the safest and most economical trade route, encompassing Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus and Türkiye. He highlighted the disruptions in global supply chains and regional conflicts as factors that have further strengthened the strategic importance of this transit corridor.

“The challenges have demonstrated that the Middle Corridor, spanning Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus, and Türkiye, offers the most secure and economical trade route between Asia and Europe,” Fidan said.

He also pointed out that sanctions and counter-sanctions have exacerbated the energy crisis, increasing the geopolitical value of Central Asia and the Caucasus while positioning Türkiye as a critical energy hub.

Call for joint support in Syria’s reconstruction

Fidan addressed the ongoing developments in Syria, describing them as a potential opportunity for regional stability. He called for collective efforts in Syria’s reconstruction, emphasizing that restoring stability in the country would contribute to broader regional security and economic cooperation.

“We must support Syria’s reconstruction and development together. The stability and progress of Syria will ensure regional stability and security while opening new opportunities in logistics, trade, and energy,” Fidan noted.

The meeting, held at JW Marriott Ankara Hotel, brought together Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, along with their Azerbaijani and Uzbek counterparts.

The ministers discussed deepening economic partnerships and enhancing connectivity between the three countries.

Enhancing trade and economic partnerships

Fidan reiterated the importance of strengthening trade, economic and investment ties, noting Türkiye’s increasing trade volume with the Turkic world. He stated that diversifying trade partnerships and encouraging reciprocal investments remain a priority.

His remarks were echoed at the Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Trilateral Business Forum, hosted by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB). TOBB President Rifat Hisarciklioglu emphasized the necessity of a trilateral free trade agreement to boost economic integration.

“We need to implement a common free trade agreement. We value trilateral formats in this regard,” Hisarciklioglu stated.

He also highlighted the need to enhance transport infrastructure, particularly the modernization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the completion of the Kars-Nakhchivan railway project, to improve trade flow between the three nations.

Strengthening transport and infrastructure links

Türkiye’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu emphasized the importance of multi-modal transportation cooperation with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan to boost regional trade.

“Collaboration in multi-modal transportation must be increased. Our approach is not about diverting existing cargo to other corridors, but rather ensuring that even the additional cargo is transported efficiently,” Uraloglu said.

He added that connectivity projects such as the Middle Corridor and the Development Road Initiative should be further developed with the cooperation of regional partners.

Investment and trade growth prospects

During the business forum, Trade Minister Omer Bolat highlighted Türkiye’s strong investment ties with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, revealing that mutual investments between Türkiye and Azerbaijan stand at $37 billion, while Türkiye and Uzbekistan share $4.4 billion in bilateral investments.

“Our efforts are focused on mutual growth and prosperity. Trade between Türkiye and Uzbekistan has increased 15-fold since 2003, while exports to Azerbaijan have risen nine-fold in the same period,” Bolat stated.

Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, noted that trade volume among the three nations had grown by 50% over the past seven years, reaching $3.2 billion. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to deepening economic cooperation with all Turkic nations.

The trilateral meetings concluded with discussions on a roadmap for future steps in diplomacy, trade, and infrastructure development, aiming to further integrate the three countries within the broader framework of the Organization of Turkic States.