Turkmenbashi:President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the potential benefits of integrating the Middle Corridor with the TRIPP transport initiative during the 8th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Central Asia.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Tokayev discussed the commencement of a major highway project linking China to the Caspian Sea, with further connections to European markets. He expressed confidence that the modernization of Kazakhstan's transport infrastructure would bolster the region's transit capabilities, highlighting the significance of the Caspian International Transport Route, often referred to as the Middle Corridor.
Tokayev also noted the importance of the North-South route in collaboration with Russia for Kazakhstan. He cited World Bank estimates indicating that, upon achieving infrastructure goals, cargo traffic across the Caspian could potentially quadruple by 2040. He proposed that discussions take place, at least at the expert level, on integrating the Middle Corridor with the TRIPP initiative to expand existing potential and benefit all involved states in the long term.