Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway further strengthens Europe-Asia connectivity, says Georgian PM

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line brings Europe and Asia even closer together and enhances the strategic importance of the region within global trade and logistics networks, said on Tuesday Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during his speech at the official opening ceremony of the railway line.

In his address, Kobakhidze noted that once the route becomes fully operational, its annual transport capacity will reach 5 million tons, significantly increasing the region’s transit potential and further strengthening the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor.

“I am pleased to participate today in the official opening ceremony of the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line. This is a project of historical significance. This is another clear 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 implemented in the [South Caucasus] region, with a length of 180 km from Marabda to the Turkish border, of which 153 km of tracks were rehabilitated and reconstructed and a completely new, modern standard railway line of 27 km was built”, the PM said.

“The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which has been operating in test mode since 2017, has transported more than 1.8 million tons of cargo in pilot mode, including about 90 thousand containers. During this period, the growing dynamics of freight transportation has been clearly evident, which once again confirms 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 in the connectivity of Europe and Asia. With the full operation of the route, the throughput of the railway line will reach 5 million tons per year, which significantly increases the transit capabilities of our region and further strengthens the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor”, he continued.

The Government head further emphasised that this project was gaining even greater importance against the backdrop of global challenges and crises, when diversification of international trade routes and secure transport networks were the main prerequisites for economic development.

“The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line brings Europe and Asia closer together and strengthens the strategic importance of our region in the global trade and logistics network”, he concluded.