Akhalkalaki: A project launched years ago by Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye has today become one of the most important milestones in the development of the Middle Corridor, said Hikmat Rakhmatov, First Deputy Chairman of Uzbekistan Railways, in a statement to journalists at an event held in Akhalkalaki on the Georgia-Trkiye border.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the event taking place in Akhalkalaki is a significant development in advancing the Middle Corridor. Container shipments, wagon cargo, liquid freight, and various types of goods will be transported from Asia to Europe quickly through this route, Rakhmatov emphasized.

Rakhmatov noted Azerbaijan's special role in the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project. He mentioned that Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye laid the foundation of this project in 2007, and today it can handle up to 5 million tons of cargo annually at the Georgia-Trkiye border.

He further explained that Uzbekistan currently exports large volumes of cargo via the Middle Corridor, and the new infrastructure will allow an increase in freight turnover. The route through Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Trkiye-Europe, as well as through Kazakhstan, holds strategic importance for Uzbek businesses and entrepreneurs.

Leaders of the countries in the region regularly discuss the development of the Middle Corridor, focusing on integration, digitalization, and reducing transportation costs, Rakhmatov stated.

He commended the new infrastructure in Akhalkalaki, noting the significant investment and human resources dedicated to the project. Uzbekistan is also working on the new China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway corridor, which is expected to integrate into the Middle Corridor in the future.

In his concluding remarks, Hikmat Rakhmatov congratulated Azerbaijan on launching new logistics opportunities, highlighting that railways are vital for both economic and social development.