The Growing Importance of the Middle Corridor: Extensive Discussions Involving ADY in the People's Republic of China

A delegation led by “Azerbaijan Railways” CJSC Deputy Chairman Vusal Aslanov participated in the forum "Meeting with Global Partners - Trans-Caspian International Transport Route," organized by China Railway Express (Xi'an) in the People's Republic of China.

As part of the forum, the Azerbaijan Railways delegation joined discussions on joint efforts to develop the Middle Corridor with representatives of the railways of China, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, as well as other permanent members of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route International Association.

The discussions focused on three main topics:

• Stable and preferential transportation tariffs in the Trans-Caspian Corridor, fast customs clearance, and ensuring delivery speed.
• Implementation of infrastructure projects along the route, modernization of terminals and stations.
• Simplification of the application process for transit codes, unification of documentation standards, and the creation of an integrated digital information system.

After the discussions, reports from railway officials were heard. During the reporting session, Vusal Aslanov informed about the projects being implemented in Azerbaijan to ensure more efficient, flexible, and diversified operations of the Middle Corridor.

During the presentation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway and Zangezur Corridor projects, Vusal Aslanov noted that the BTK, with an annual capacity of 5 million tons, significantly influences the development of the Middle Corridor, reshaping the region's logistics map and creating a direct and efficient connection between Europe and Asia.

He also reported that 57% of the section of the Zangezur Corridor project on Azerbaijani territory from Horadiz to Aghbend has been completed, and the construction of the section passing through the Islamic Republic of Iran will begin after the design work is completed.

The Zangezur Corridor will diversify the transit routes of the Middle Corridor, reduce the delivery time of goods from China and Central Asia to Europe, and eliminate the need for multimodal transport after crossing the Caspian Sea.

Vusal Aslanov also mentioned that Azerbaijan Railways has implemented an optimized tariff policy and discounts to increase the efficiency of the Middle Corridor and the number of container trains. He also shared his recommendations with the corridor participants, emphasizing that subsidies for freight operations in China's territory could further boost the corridor's development.

At the conclusion of the reporting session, a memorandum of cooperation was signed, under which the Chinese side will join the joint venture "Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd.," established by the railways of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, to develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and improve the organization of regular container trains from the People's Republic of China.

Additionally, during the event, a document titled "Initiative for the Joint Construction of a High-Quality Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor" was signed. This document outlines areas of cooperation for transporting China-originated goods to European and Asian markets via the Middle Corridor, developing economic, trade, and transport relations between regions, optimizing costs, improving transportation efficiency, enhancing operational efficiency, creating a relevant information platform, and other areas.