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35 stories about Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian Route), newest first. This page updates by itself with every new story.
The General Directorate of Infrastructure Investments, affiliated with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, published the tender notice on the matter in the Official Gazette. Bidders will submit sealed offers for the design and construction of infrastructure and superstructure works, including electrification, for the ETMIC Project.
The United States and the five Central Asian countries marked the tenth anniversary of the C5+1 format at a ministerial meeting in Samarkand on October 19, 2026. The platform was established in 2015 in Samarkand, when the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan met U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
Kazakhstan's Baiterek Holding has signed a memorandum of cooperation with China's Guoyou Materials Group for a $1 billion investment project to develop port infrastructure at Kuryk Port. The agreement was signed during the Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable 2026 (KGIR-2026) in Shymkent, according to Qazinform News Agency.
The outcomes of the 7th summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), held in Baku, create new opportunities for regional cooperation, transport links and the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China. The assessment was given to Day.az by political expert Ding Qinping, a doctoral candidate at the Department of International Relations and World Economy at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, known as the Middle Corridor, is playing a growing role in trade between Asia and Europe. According to a World Bank report published on 28 September, cargo volumes along the corridor could more than triple and delivery times could be halved if the necessary infrastructure investments and reforms are carried out.
Kazakhstan has proposed establishing a network of artificial intelligence centers under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and integrating regional transport corridors under a unified strategy through 2035. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov made the proposals at an Oct. 20 meeting of SCO heads of government in Dushanbe.
The United States and five Central Asian countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic, energy, security, and cultural cooperation at the C5+1 Ministerial meeting in Samarkand on October 19. In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, along with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlined a vision for an enduring partnership grounded in respect for sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said almost 70 percent of the country's cross-border payments with SCO member states are already made in national currencies. He made the remarks at a meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government.
On 19 October 2026, foreign ministers of the Central Asian countries and the United States Secretary of State held a regular meeting in the C5+1 format in Samarkand. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan reported the meeting.
Uraloğlu spoke at a conference titled “Changing Global Transport Geopolitics and the Development Road Project”, organised by the SETA Foundation. He said tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and the Russia-Ukraine war have created vulnerabilities, prompting countries to seek safer, shorter, more predictable and sustainable routes.
Transport & Infrastructure
On 19 October, a conference was held in Tokyo on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) and the opening of direct flights between Tokyo and Almaty.
The United States and Central Asian countries have outlined areas of cooperation within the C5+1 framework. The parties stressed the importance of developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, investing in infrastructure and strengthening transport and trade ties. These measures are expected to boost mutual trade and investment and open new opportunities in fast-growing markets.
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.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu spoke at a conference on changing global transport geopolitics and the Development Road Project, organised by SETA at its Ankara office. He said global trade corridors are being redrawn and that recent geopolitical developments have exposed how fragile transport systems can be. Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and the Russia-Ukraine war, he said, have pushed countries to seek safer, shorter and more predictable routes.
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan agreed on October 15 to deepen cooperation on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), known as the Middle Corridor. The agreement was exchanged by the countries' ministers in the presence of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and establishes a legal framework for coordination on rail, road and port infrastructure. The corridor connects China with Europe through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye.
Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov met with Eduards Stiprais, the European Union's Special Representative for Central Asia, to discuss the growing partnership between Kazakhstan and the EU. The talks focused on regional connectivity, investment and sustainable development. The information was cited from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' press service by the Qazinform News Agency.
Kazakhstan is seeking closer cooperation with Belgium to develop the Middle Corridor, including a potential partnership between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the Caspian ports of Aktau and Kuryk, Euronews reports. Speaking at the Belgium-Kazakhstan Business Council, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the partnership "could open wider markets for our metals, petrochemicals and agricultural products." The business forum resulted in 17 agreements covering logistics, agriculture, artificial intelligence, energy, healthcare and manufacturing.
Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held talks in Astana with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who arrived on his first official visit to Kazakhstan. The Government's press service told Qazinform News Agency that the two delegations discussed ways to expand trade and economic cooperation. Kazakhstan views Cambodia as an important and reliable partner in Southeast Asia.
A ceremony at the Baku Shipyard marked the exchange of documents for the construction of two universal dry cargo ships for KTZ Express Shipping, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. The ceremony took place on 15 October during a working visit to Baku by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) summit. The contracts for the vessels were signed in April 2026.
In 2026, Baku will host the VII Summit of AQEM, chaired by President Ilham Aliyev.
In early October, the eighth Consultative Meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and Azerbaijan took place in the «Avaza» National tourist zone on the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea. Held in the year marking the 35th anniversary of the states' independence, the summit demonstrated the high relevance and independent nature of this political dialogue format.
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev warned that conflicts increasingly affect cross-border energy infrastructure and that instability in global markets could slow economic growth even in countries far from fighting. Speaking at the 7th CICA summit in Baku, he said energy security is currently under threat of complete destruction.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed developing transport corridors and green energy across Central Asia and the South Caucasus while attending the Seventh CICA Summit in Baku, according to the press service of Akorda. He expressed support for the reconciliation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, calling it a gateway between East and West.
The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, also known as the Middle Corridor, could increase the combined GDP of countries along the route by 3.3% and generate around two million jobs by 2040, according to a World Bank report presented in Astana on Oct. 15. The gains depend on governments investing in infrastructure and improving cross-border coordination.
Turkey's rate cut, Azerbaijan's net-zero strategy, Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty timing and Kashagan arbitration ruling in today's Turkic news.
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