US and Central Asian countries aim to develop Middle Corridor jointly

The United States and Central Asian countries intend to strengthen energy partnership, develop the extraction and processing of critical minerals, and take measures to advance the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, Middle Corridor). Citing Interfax, Report.az says this was stated in a joint statement on the outcomes of a meeting in the C5+1 format held in Samarkand.

The statement said that strengthening energy partnership will give new impetus to creating highly value-added integrated supply chains that ensure sustainable economic growth and energy security. The participants plan to exchange experience and advanced methods in geological data management. They also intend to develop processing industries and increase the share of high value-added products.

The development of the Middle Corridor was named another priority, expected to help expand trade and investment between Central Asia and the United States and enable regional producers to enter new markets. The parties also agreed to deepen regional economic integration. The C5+1 format was established in September 2015 to discuss regional issues among the United States and five Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.