Turkish FM highlights strategic importance of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway at Global Transport Connectivity Forum

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said that Türkiye is set to increase the efficiency of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway project by expanding cooperation with regional partners.

Fidan made these remarks at the Global Transport Connectivity Forum held at the Istanbul Congress Centre, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

Speaking on the heightened importance of the Middle Corridor in light of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and escalating geopolitical tensions, Fidan highlighted the corridor’s role in fostering economic development and trade diversification.

“The Middle Corridor offers new opportunities for economic growth and the diversification of trade routes. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is a crucial component of this corridor,” Fidan said. 

He further underscored that the railway’s emergence as a key link within the Middle Corridor is the result of strong trilateral cooperation among Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, which has set an example of regional partnership.

Istanbul, a historic and iconic city, stands as a global crossroads, linking regions, continents, and people as it is hosting the pioneering Global Transport Connectivity Forum. This premier international event brings together high-level policymakers, ministers, representatives from international organisations and financial institutions, industry leaders, private sector stakeholders, and leading experts. 

Together, they engage in strategic discussions focused on developing and optimising international transport corridors. The Forum’s agenda underscores a shared commitment to unlocking the full potential of global transport corridors.

Beyond improving physical connectivity, panel discussions emphasise sustainable development and the green transition, enhancing resilience, leveraging digitalisation and artificial intelligence, adopting innovative practices, implementing efficient financing solutions, and fostering regional cooperation on a global scale. 

Special attention is given to advancing better-integrated global transport networks, addressing infrastructure investment gaps, and promoting collaboration among governments, international financial institutions, and the private sector.

By Naila Huseynova