By Abida Kahlun,
Bureau Chief, Helsinki
Scandinavian News Agency
The Middle Corridor, a trade and transport route linking Europe to Central Asia via the Caucasus and Caspian Sea, is being actively advanced by Türkiye Azerbaijan, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reportedly said.
The remarks, attributed to Fidan by Türkiye Azerbaijan officials, frame the two countries as central drivers behind the route’s development.
Fidan is also reported to have described the proposed Zangezur Corridor as a key piece of a broader vision to connect Türkiye with Turkic-speaking states across the Caspian region.
Both projects have been discussed for years as part of Ankara’s push to deepen trade and transit links eastward.
What Is the Middle Corridor?
The Middle Corridor refers to a network of road, rail, and sea routes that bypass Russia, connecting China and Central Asia to Europe through the South Caucasus and Türkiye Azerbaijan.
Interest in the route has grown since 2022, as many governments and businesses sought alternatives to routes running through Russian territory.
Officials in Ankara and Baku have repeatedly promoted the corridor as a way to boost regional trade volumes and reduce reliance on longer maritime shipping lanes.
According to the statement attributed to Fidan, Türkiye Azerbaijan see themselves as the primary architects of this effort.
The Zangezur Corridor and Regional Sensitivities
The Zangezur Corridor is a proposed transit route through southern Armenia that would connect mainland Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave, and onward to Türkiye Azerbaijan.
The idea originates from a 2020 ceasefire arrangement following the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, though its implementation has remained contested.
Armenia has previously raised sovereignty concerns about any corridor crossing its territory, insisting that such a route must operate under Armenian jurisdiction rather than external control.
Iran has also voiced objections in the past, citing concerns about its own border access and regional balance of power.
Türkiye Azerbaijan positions were not addressed in the notes provided for this report, and neither government’s current stance could be independently confirmed at the time of writing.
Key Facts
- Turkish FM Hakan Fidan reportedly credited Türkiye Azerbaijan with driving Middle Corridor development
- The Zangezur Corridor is described as linking Türkiye to the Turkic world via the Caspian
- The Kars–Dilucu Railway is expected to be completed by the end of 2029, per the reported statement
- The Zangezur route runs through southern Armenia and has drawn past objections from Armenia and Iran
- The Middle Corridor bypasses Russia, connecting China and Central Asia to Europe
FAQs:
What is the Middle Corridor?
It is a trade route linking China and Central Asia to Europe through the South Caucasus and Türkiye, bypassing Russia.
What is the Zangezur Corridor?
A proposed transit route through southern Armenia intended to connect mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave and Türkiye.
When will the Kars–Dilucu Railway be finished?
According to the reported statement from Foreign Minister Fidan, the railway is expected to be completed by the end of 2029.
Why is the Zangezur Corridor controversial?
Armenia has previously raised sovereignty concerns, and Iran has voiced objections related to regional access and influence.
Who is driving the Middle Corridor project?
Türkiye and Azerbaijan are described as leading the effort, according to Turkish officials.
Kars–Dilucu Railway Timeline
According to the reported statement, the completion of the Kars–Dilucu Railway by the end of 2029 would allow trains to travel from Azerbaijan into Türkiye Azerbaijan without interruption.
The rail line is intended to physically connect the two countries’ networks, reducing reliance on road transport or routes through third countries.
If completed as described, the railway would represent a significant infrastructure milestone for the Middle Corridor initiative, though the timeline itself has not been independently verified beyond the attributed remarks.
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