Transport official: Uzbekistan eyes Zangezur Corridor for strategic cargo

Uzbekistan plans to use the Zangezur corridor for the transportation of strategically important cargo once the route becomes operational, according to First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Uzbekistan Railways JSC (“Uzbekistan Railways”) Hikmatulla Rakhmetov.

“In the future, when the Zangezur Corridor becomes operational, Uzbekistan will consider using it to transport strategically important cargo both from and to the country, as well as to neighbouring states,” he said, as per domestic media.

He emphasised that cooperation with Azerbaijan is developing very closely, with cargo volumes growing exponentially and virtually all types of cargo being transported. “Transport corridors are being developed through Azerbaijan and Georgia,” Rakhmetov noted.

“Azerbaijan's potential in the Middle Corridor is well known to everyone. Azerbaijan plays a key role and provides a transit corridor both to Europe and to South and North America, as well as in the opposite direction to the countries of Central Asia. Azerbaijani railways support us very strongly,” he added.

Rakhmetov also highlighted the recent 83rd meeting of the CIS Council of Railway Transport Participants in Baku, where the parties confirmed their close cooperation and partnership. “We are very grateful to Azerbaijan for helping Uzbek colleagues in their work with the new port of Alat and we are confident that relations and cooperation will only strengthen thanks to the support of the leaders of the two countries in the development of the Middle Corridor,” he said.

He stressed the significance of emerging routes and expressed optimism about the Zangezur Corridor. “We are now seeing new routes, potential routes, which are developing today. The Zangezur Corridor will soon be put into operation, and we are very positive about it,” Rakhmetov stated.

According to him, the corridor will increase Azerbaijan's transit potential, expand Uzbekistan's exports and imports, and boost the cargo flow of neighbouring countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. “The corridor will create additional opportunities to reduce transit costs and will give a significant boost to the development of international transport through the Middle Corridor,” he said.

Rakhmetov concluded by noting the priority nature of strategic cargoes. “As for strategically important cargoes, such as petroleum products and chemical fertilisers, Uzbekistan already exports them through Azerbaijan to Europe. These cargoes are important for the food and energy security of partner countries and are a priority for transportation through Azerbaijan,” he said.

By Tamilla Hasanova