BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Kazakhstan and
Belgium discussed strengthening the transit potential of the
Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR or Middle
Corridor), Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports.


The issue was discussed during talks between Kazakhstan’s
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yermek Kosherbayev and Belgian Minister
of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot held in Brussels as part of the
official visit of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart
Tokayev.


The sides highly assessed the current state of
Kazakhstan–Belgium relations and discussed opportunities for
further development of political dialogue, as well as expansion of
trade, economic, and humanitarian cooperation.


“Belgium is an important partner of Kazakhstan both at the
bilateral level and within cooperation with the European Union.
Brussels is among the ten largest investors in our country’s
economy. Last year, bilateral trade exceeded half a billion US
dollars, demonstrating significant potential for further
strengthening cooperation,” Kosherbayev said.


Minister Kosherbayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to create
favorable conditions for the implementation of joint projects and
the further expansion of business ties.


During the talks, the sides also highlighted the strong
potential for cooperation in education and science, including
interaction between leading universities and research centers of
the two countries.







On the Belgian side, interest in developing partnerships was
expressed by KU Leuven, Ghent University, and IMEC.


In addition, the ministers discussed opportunities for
cooperation within multilateral platforms and exchanged views on
current regional and global issues.


Following the talks, both sides reaffirmed their mutual interest
in further strengthening Kazakhstan–Belgium cooperation and
implementing joint initiatives in priority areas.


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.