China pledges support for Middle Corridor development

China has expressed interest in supporting the development of the Middle Corridor, underscoring its readiness to contribute to regional connectivity, Li Yongquan, Director of the Institute for Social Development Studies of Eurasia at the Research Center under the State Council of China, said during the 13th session of the CICA Think Tank Forum in Baku. 

He noted that China is ready to actively contribute to the further development of the Middle Corridor, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, communication infrastructure between China and other countries has significantly improved," Li said, emphasising the special role of Azerbaijan in the corridor’s development.

"The development of the Middle Corridor aligns not only with the interests of Azerbaijan but also with those of other countries in the region. The situation in the South Caucasus is stabilizing, which creates favorable conditions for the further use and expansion of the transport route," he added.

Li also highlighted the importance of creating multiple corridors and bridges, noting that "the more corridors and bridges are built, the easier transportation and economic interaction will become."

Meanwhile, Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Board of the Center for Analysis of International Relations (CAIR), stressed the significance of the Zangezur Corridor during the same forum. 

"The opening of the Zangezur Corridor will be an important step towards reconciliation between the two countries after 30 years and will have a positive impact on the development of economic ties," he said.

Shafiyev also pointed out that the corridor would enhance the relevance of other regional transport routes.

"Some mistakenly believe that the Zangezur Corridor is a means of demonstrating Azerbaijan's superiority. In fact, the situation is quite different: the initiative is aimed at enhancing the importance of both the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars corridor and other transport routes in the region," he noted.

By Sabina Mammadli