BTK railway has strategic importance for region, Georgian minister says

The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway will make a significant contribution to regional economic development, Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, said on Monday at a ceremony marking the line’s return to service following modernisation.

Kvrivishvili described the rail corridor as strategically important for the wider region, noting that Georgia has in recent years invested heavily in upgrading transport infrastructure, motorways and logistics networks, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

She said growing revenues from the transport and logistics sector were reinforcing Georgia’s position as a reliable transit hub linking Europe and Asia.

The minister underlined that the expansion of international transport routes reflects long-standing cooperation between Georgia, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Central Asian countries and other partners.

Thanking all parties involved in the BTK project, Kvrivishvili said the upgraded railway would strengthen transit capacity and support broader economic development across the region.

The inauguration ceremony of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway is taking place at the Akhalkalaki Railway and Logistics Complex in Georgia, bringing together senior officials from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye.

Speeches are expected from the prime ministers and transport ministers of the three countries, followed by a symbolic commissioning ceremony and project presentation.

The BTK railway, a key regional transport link, has recently been modernised on the Georgian section, increasing its annual cargo capacity from 1 million to 5 million tonnes.

Officials say the upgrade will strengthen the Middle Corridor and boost freight flows between Asia and Europe.

By Aghakazim Guliyev