Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated at the official opening ceremony of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway line that this project brings Europe and Asia even closer together and enhances the strategic importance of the region in the global trade and logistics network.
Kobakhidze noted that once the route is fully operational, the railway’s capacity will reach 5 million tons per year, which, according to him, will significantly increase the region’s transit capabilities and boost the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor project (a route from Asia to Europe bypassing Russia — Ed.).
“This is a project of historic significance. It is another vivid example of the strategic partnership and exemplary cooperation between Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. The Georgian section of the new Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the region.
Its length from Marabda to the Turkish border is 180 km, of which 153 km of tracks have been reconstructed and modernized, and 27 km of an entirely new railway line meeting modern standards have been built.
The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, which has been operating in test mode since 2017, has transported more than 1.8 million tons of cargo during this period, including about 90,000 containers.
During this period, the growing dynamics of cargo transportation became clearly evident, once again confirming the economic and logistical importance of this transport corridor. This railway line is an integral part of the Middle Corridor, which is of particular importance for connectivity between Europe and Asia.
Once the route is fully operational, the railway’s capacity will reach 5 million tons per year, which will significantly increase the transit capabilities of our region and further boost the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
This project gains even greater significance against the backdrop of global challenges and crises, where the diversification of international trade routes and secure transport networks are becoming key conditions for economic development. The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line brings Europe and Asia even closer together and strengthens the strategic importance of our region in the global trade and logistics system,” the Georgian Prime Minister stated.
