Eurasian Transport Route to complement Middle Corridor, official says

The new association, Eurasian Transport Route, will function as a parallel platform complementing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (the Middle Corridor), Emil Mammadov, advisor to the chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY), has said, noting that at present, the group includes Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

Speaking at the fifth Black and Caspian Freight Forum 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Mammadov outlined that his country is emerging as a central transport hub and gateway to international routes as integration and cooperation with Central Asian countries expand, Calibre.Az reports, citing local media.

Mammadov clarified that large-scale integration and the building of cooperative ties with the Central Asian region are ongoing, within which Azerbaijan is perceived as a central transport hub and an access point to international routes.

“There is even such a distinction of concepts as land-locked and land-linked countries. We are talking about connecting and providing access through Azerbaijan to the 'big water'. Interaction with brothers and neighbors from Central Asia will significantly increase the economic development potential of the entire region, and in logistical terms, it will make it possible to increase the cargo base. Railway administrations are carrying out large-scale work to form cooperation mechanisms, establish communication, and, as already mentioned, synchronize work processes,” he emphasised.

Mammadov further stated that, from the railway industry's perspective, cooperation also covers modernisation of rolling stock fleets, with negotiations structured to avoid duplicating efforts and instead ensure the parties complement one another.

“A similar process is at the discussion stage with the Georgian Railway as well,” he added.

Mammadov also said the Eurasian Transport Route is a new route and association established on Azerbaijan’s initiative. The route follows the southern branch of the Middle Corridor, with Uzbekistan playing a central role in Central Asia.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov