Roza Bayramli: Azerbaijan becoming important transport hub between Central Asia, Europe

Azerbaijan is becoming an important transport, energy, and digital hub between Central Asia and Europe, Report informs, citing statements by Chief Advisor at the Center for Analysis of International Relations and Multiculturalism (AIR Center) Roza Bayramli at a roundtable organized by the Center for Analysis of International Relations and Multiculturalism and the LINKS Europe Foundation in Baku.

According to her, the Middle Corridor is becoming one of the main transport and communication routes between Europe and Asia. She noted that its significance has grown significantly in recent years against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, problems in traditional supply chains, and instability on other transport routes.

"The EU is paying significantly more attention to the Middle Corridor. At the same time, Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia are strengthening cooperation in the spheres of transport, trade, energy, and digital connectivity," Bayramli said.

She emphasized that the EU aims to reduce the transportation time between Europe and Central Asia to approximately 15 days: "Azerbaijan plays a central role in achieving this goal."

According to her, the capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway has been increased to 5 million tons per year, and the Port of Baku is currently capable of handling 15 million tons of cargo and about 150,000 TEU. Following expansion, these figures should increase to 25 million tons and 500,000 TEU, respectively.

Bayramli reported that the volume of cargo transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route grew from 2.76 million tons in 2023 to 4.48 million tons in 2024, and exceeded 4.1 million tons in 2025.

"The Middle Corridor is becoming more than just a transport route. It creates closer economic and digital ties between Azerbaijan and Central Asia and strengthens their ties with Europe," she added.