Georgian Economy Minister: Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway’s full-scale operation marks major step for regional connectivity

The full-scale launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line marks a significant milestone not only for Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye, but also for the wider region and Central Asia, said on Tuesday Mariam Kvrivishvili, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, during her speech at the inauguration of the railway line.

In her remarks, Kvrivishvili noted that this project was a vivid example of Georgia’s strategic partnership, joint efforts, and long-term state vision.

“The close and result-oriented partnership between Georgia and Azerbaijan over the past year has made it possible to timely resolve and successfully complete important issues necessary for the full-fledged operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway”, she said.

Kvrivishvili also emphasised that this process was a very important step forward for strengthening the competitiveness, connectivity and economic integration of the region.

“Within the framework of the project, the rehabilitation and construction of the 180-kilometer Marabda-Kartsakhi railway section was carried out on the territory of Georgia: these include new and rehabilitated bridges, modern standard stations, overpasses, traction substations, the Georgia-Turkey border railway tunnel, and the Akhalkalaki international railway station, which is one of the most important nodes of this project”, she added.

The Economy Minister underlined the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars route as an important connecting link between Europe, Central Asia and China.

“The processes that have developed in the world in recent years have even more clearly demonstrated the importance of safe, reliable and predictable transport routes. That is why international interest in the Middle Corridor is growing and that is why Georgia’s role in this process is strengthening”, she concluded.