Turkmenistan takes steps towards connecting with trade routes of the Middle Corridor
Turkmenistan looks to capitalize on growing East-West trade by developing infrastructure projects aimed at establishing trade hubs within the Middle Corridor. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry in early February, Turkmen officials participated in a meeting with counterparts from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Romania, focusing on strategies to bolster East-West trade. The participants also discussed signing a quadripartite agreement to create a new Middle Corridor trade route spanning the Caspian and Black Seas.
The statement highlighted that the agreement would make a substantial contribution to the development of international cargo transportation between Central Asia and Europe. However, it may take some time before the transit agreement is finalized, considering Turkmenistan's reputation for being a challenging negotiating partner, as evidenced by the prolonged negotiations with Turkey over a gas swap deal.
In related developments, the government-connected Turkmenportal website reported that a new airport with a 3,200-meter runway would soon become operational near the village of Jebel in western Balkan province. The airport, situated along the railway connecting Ashgabat to the Caspian port city of Turkmenbashy, is designed to accommodate air cargo but could potentially handle passenger traffic as well.
The airport is expected to contribute to increased passenger and cargo flows in air transport, furthering economic development in the country and providing services that meet contemporary requirements. The Middle Corridor, connecting Europe and Asia via routes through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan, is garnering international attention as it provides a safer and more stable alternative to the Russian Northern Corridor for transporting goods between the two continents.
The corridor nonetheless faces logistical hurdles, such as transport delays and insufficient infrastructure, which necessitate significant investment to address. Nonetheless, the ongoing development of maritime trade capacity in the Caspian Sea, along with strategic cooperation in Central Asia with countries like China, could improve regional trade dynamics and the efficiency of the Middle Corridor.
In conclusion, Turkmenistan's involvement in the Middle Corridor trade development aligns with broader regional efforts to enhance trade connectivity between Europe and Asia. The Caspian Sea-Black Sea transit agreement holds significant potential for streamlining trade routes and positively impacting East-West trade, provided that the necessary resources and logistical improvements are implemented effectively.
The statement from the Foreign Ministry suggests that the quadripartite agreement will significantly boost international cargo transportation, particularly between Central Asia and Europe, as part of the Middle Corridor. The anticipated operational airport near Jebel could increase passenger and cargo flows in air transport, potentially contributing to the overall improvement of trade connectivity between Europe and Asia.
