BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. Kazakhstan and the
European Union are discussing the development of the Middle
Corridor, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) reported.
An international business conference titled “Strengthening
EU–Kazakhstan Connectivity: Prospects and Strategic Potential of
the Middle Corridor” is being held in Brussels. The event was
organized by KTZ with the support of the Government of Kazakhstan
and the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the Kingdom of Belgium.
Participants are focusing on strategic issues related to the
development of the Middle Corridor, including increasing the
coridor's transit capacity, modernizing railway, port and terminal
infrastructure, digitalizing logistics processes, and building
sustainable supply chains across Eurasia.
Special attention during the discussions has been given to
integrating the Middle Corridor with the European Union’s Global
Gateway initiative, as well as expanding transport and digital
connectivity between Europe and Central Asia.
The event brought together more than 100 senior participants
from Kazakhstan and EU member states. Representatives of major
international companies, including DHL Global Forwarding, Alstom,
DB Cargo, HHLA International, RHENUS, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics,
Ahlers Logistics, and A.P. Moller–Maersk, took part in the
conference.
The conference is being held as part of the official visit of
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Kingdom of Belgium at the
invitation of the President of the European Council António Costa
on June 22–23.
The Middle Corridor is a transport and trade route passing
through several countries in the region and connecting Asia with
Europe. It serves as an alternative to the traditional Northern and
Southern Corridors.
The route begins in China and passes through the countries of
Central Asia. It then crosses the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia,
and Türkiye before reaching Europe. The Central Corridor is a land
route that bypasses the longer sea routes connecting the eastern
regions of Asia, including China, with Europe.
