Large-scale integration with Central Asia turning Azerbaijan into central transport hub, ADY official says

Large-scale integration and the building of cooperative ties with the Central Asian region are ongoing, within which Azerbaijan is perceived as a central transport hub and an access point to international routes, Advisor to the Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY) Emil Mammadov said during the fifth Black and Caspian Freight Forum 2026 in Baku, Report informs.

"There is even such a distinction of concepts as land-locked and land-linked countries. We are talking about connecting and providing access through Azerbaijan to the 'big water'. Interaction with brothers and neighbors from Central Asia will significantly increase the economic development potential of the entire region, and in logistical terms, it will make it possible to increase the cargo base. Railway administrations are carrying out large-scale work to form cooperation mechanisms, establish communication, and, as already mentioned, synchronize work processes," the ADY advisor emphasized.

As Mammadov noted, if the situation is viewed from the perspective of the railway industry, this also includes issues of modernizing the rolling stock fleet: negotiations are structured in such a way that the parties do not duplicate efforts, but mutually complement each other.

"A similar process is at the discussion stage with the Georgian Railway as well," he added, reporting that Georgia has already joined the Eurasian Transport Route International Association.

At the same time, Mammadov clarified that the Eurasian Transport Route represents a new direction and association created on the initiative of Azerbaijan. This route runs along the southern branch of the Middle Corridor, where Uzbekistan plays a central role in the Central Asian region.

"At present, the association includes Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The new association will function as a parallel platform complementing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route," the ADY advisor noted.