Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtliu said that the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TMTP, or Middle Corridor) will create new opportunities for mutually beneficial trade and investment interaction between Asia and Europe.
Murat Nurtliu made the statement during the Forum of Foreign Ministers of Central Asia and the OSCE Secretary General:
“In this regard, Kazakhstan advocates expanding partnerships with European countries within the framework of the EU project TEN-T (Trans-European Transport Network).”
The forum participants concluded that interconnectivity is an important component of the development of modern states, promoting co-operation, economic growth and strengthening regional stability. They emphasised that Central Asia connects distant markets with its unique transport capabilities.
Nurtleu noted Kazakhstan’s readiness to contribute to the strengthening of the Organisation and to assist in overcoming difficulties in its activities. He said:
“The OSCE has certain advantages over many other organizations, most notably its unique approach to decision-making based on consensus.”
The Kazakh Foreign Minister noted that his country actively advocates the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
The Middle Corridor is a transport and trade route between Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern and Southern Corridors. The route starts in China and passes through Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey before reaching Europe.
The Middle corridor is an overland route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, to Europe, bypassing longer sea routes. The Middle Corridor offers a clear advantage in terms of transport time between China and Europe with 13 to 21 days compared to the sea route with 35 to 45 days.
