Belgrade – During the 3rd meeting of the Kazakh-Serbian intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin encouraged Serbia to explore opportunities within the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor.

According to Trend News Agency, Zhumangarin highlighted the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor as a transit route, proposing its utility for expanding cargo transport from Kazakhstan and China through Serbia to other European destinations. “We are interested in developing transit for cargo transportation from Kazakhstan and China to Serbia and further to European countries. We propose considering the possibilities of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route for these purposes,” he stated.

The discussion also touched on the existing aviation agreements between Kazakhstan and Serbia, which currently allow for up to 14 passenger flights per week. Zhumangarin pointed out the potential benefits of direct flights facilitated by an ‘open skies’ regime at Kazakhstan’s airports, suggesting that such connectivity could position Serbia as a significant transport hub in Europe.

The Middle Corridor serves as a vital link between Asia and Europe, providing a shorter, overland route that bypasses the maritime paths traditionally used to connect these continents. The route extends from China through Central Asian nations like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, crosses the Caspian Sea, traverses Azerbaijan and Georgia, and passes through Turkey before reaching European markets.

This corridor not only enhances trade efficiency between the eastern regions of Asia and Europe but also offers a strategic alternative to the longer Northern and Southern Corridors, potentially reducing transit times and fostering greater economic integration across the regions it connects.