Azerbaijani minister: Zangezur corridor to be beneficial for all countries in South Caucasus

Azerbaijani Finance Minister Samir Sharifov has said that Azerbaijan plays an important role in the formation and development of the international transport corridor.

“Azerbaijan has created the appropriate port infrastructure in the Caspian Sea and at the same time is implementing the projects for the reconstruction of railways,” Sharifov told Azertag.

“Azerbaijan also took upon itself the financing and construction of the missing section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line on Georgian territory,” the minister noted.

He stressed that this project will connect the railways of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye.

“One of the most important functions of the Middle Corridor is the delivery of goods to the Black Sea ports of Georgia via the railways and roads of Azerbaijan and Georgia,” Sharifov said.

The minister said that a train consisting of 23 special-purpose containers from China reached the ports of Georgia after passing through the Azerbaijani territory during 12 days in the first quarter of this year.

Sharifov added that Azerbaijan is ready to implement another important project.

“The matter rests in the Horadiz-Aghband railway project - one of the most important projects within the work to restore the Azerbaijani territories liberated from occupation,” he said.

“Azerbaijan has allocated appropriate funds for these purposes. This project is also considered an important branch of the Middle Corridor,” he said, adding that if the Zangezur corridor opens, it is possible to establish direct routes between Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through Armenia, and then with Türkiye.

The minister noted that the reconstruction of the railway and its connection to the Turkish railway has started in Nakhchivan on the basis of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s special order.

“The Turkish side is also connecting its railway network to the Azerbaijani railway network in Nakhchivan within a mutual agreement. Of course, this project will benefit all countries in the South Caucasus,” he added.