The Middle Corridor is not intended to replace traditional routes, Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations and Multiculturalism, said at the 2nd International Conference of Leading National Think Tanks of Turkic States, jointly organized by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), APA reports.
Farid Shafiyev stated that the increase in freight traffic along the Middle Corridor amid the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East has further enhanced the importance of this route.
According to him, the Middle Corridor does not aim to replace traditional northern and maritime routes: "Maritime routes will retain their importance. Northern routes will probably resume operations after the Russia-Ukraine war ends. However, the purpose of the Middle Corridor is to fill critical gaps, especially during times of crisis."
The chairman believes that the skepticism previously surrounding Azerbaijan's oil and gas exports has also proved unfounded in light of subsequent developments. He noted that Azerbaijan's gas supplies currently play an important role in Europe's energy security.
Farid Shafiyev drew attention to the increase in freight transportation along the Middle Corridor. He said that the volume of freight transported through the Trans-Caspian International Transport System rose from 2.76 million tons in 2023 to 4.1 million tons in 2025.
Farid Shafiyev noted that the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor depends not only on physical infrastructure but also on how efficiently cargo crosses borders. According to him, digitalization and the simplification of customs procedures are particularly important in this regard.
"How effectively we can eliminate bureaucratic obstacles is vital to the efficiency of the Middle Corridor," he said.
The chairman highlighted growing coordination among Turkic states and the implementation of several important initiatives, including the Digital Silk Road project.
He also noted that the Zangezur Corridor could become an additional branch of the Middle Corridor in the future.
"We hope that once constructed, the Zangezur Corridor will become an additional branch of the Middle Corridor. This is important not only in terms of transportation but also for the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia," he said.
Farid Shafiyev also emphasized the importance of extending the new route being developed between China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in Central Asia toward Turkmenistan, the Caspian Sea and Azerbaijan: "The geopolitical situation remains unstable. Therefore, the most stable route, both politically and economically, will be the one passing through the Caspian Sea. Azerbaijan wants to encourage the extension of this new branch toward Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan."
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