Lapis Lazuli corridor initiatives discussed in Türkiye

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev, participated in an event in Türkiye dedicated to discussing measures aimed at activating the Lapis Lazuli route.

Nabiyev shared details of the meeting on his X page, Caliber.Az reports.

"Lapis Lazuli" marşrutunun canlandırılması ilə bağlı məsələlərin müzakirəsi məqsədilə İstanbulda keçirilən tədbirdə iştirak etdik.

— Rashad Nabiyev (@RashadNNabiyev) October 4, 2024

"To ensure the efficiency of the route, we discussed the necessary work to develop infrastructure in the member states, the exchange of information between countries, the establishment of a consultative group, and the creation of an action plan,” Nabiyev stated.

According to Nabiyev, Azerbaijan places great importance on international and regional cooperation for the development of international transport corridors.

Notably, the Lapis Lazuli corridor, which connects Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye, is a key route for facilitating trade and strengthening economic ties across the region.

The recently established transport corridor, named after the striking blue mineral lapis lazuli, was historically a significant export from Central Asia to the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.

Negotiations for this corridor began in 2012, lasting five years due to various regional challenges, including rising domestic violence, economic instability across Central Asia, and a history of underdeveloped infrastructure in the member countries.

With the completion of essential infrastructure in Azerbaijan, notably the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars International Trade Port, cargo from Kazakhstan, China, and other locations will be able to transit through Azerbaijan. This corridor promises to be the fastest delivery route for products from China to the Eurasian market, with deliveries to London taking a maximum of just 12 days.

Cargo transportation along the Lapis Lazuli corridor will utilise rail, sea, road, and air transport. A significant aspect of this development is the potential opening of the Zangezur corridor, which would allow routes to pass through Armenia.

Additionally, a direct communication link between Türkiye and Azerbaijan is anticipated.

Consequently, both the Lapis Lazuli and Zangezur corridors stand to integrate into the "North-South" and "New Silk Road" international transport networks, enhancing trade connectivity across the region. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev