The Middle Corridor is gaining strategic importance, Binali Yıldırım, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, said at the opening ceremony of the 13th Global Baku Forum, APA reports.
“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 developments have further highlighted the importance of such alternative connections. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has significantly affected traditional transport routes across Eurasia. At the same time, tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States, and Israel are increasing uncertainty in the global energy market and international trade. This situation shows how vulnerable global supply chains can be when geopolitical tensions escalate. In such a context, diverse and reliable transport corridors are becoming increasingly valuable for regional and global economic stability. The Middle Corridor is 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,” Yıldırım emphasized.
Binali Yıldırım noted that the Middle Corridor offers faster and diversified routes connecting Asia and Europe, strengthening economic cooperation among countries: “Currently, about 5–6 million tons of cargo are transported annually through this corridor. With the continuation of infrastructure work, improved logistics coordination, and the enhancement of customs procedures, growth prospects are very promising. Next year, border crossing capacities will be significantly increased. This connectivity will shorten transit times, reduce transportation costs, and improve the efficiency of trade flows across Eurasia. For Central Asian countries, this will create opportunities to access global markets. For Azerbaijan, it strengthens its role as a key logistics hub in the Caspian region, while for Türkiye it reinforces its role as an important gateway between Asia and Europe.”
