PM Irakli Kobakhidze: Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line brings Europe and Asia closer, strengthens our region’s strategic significance in global trade and logistics network 

“The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line brings Europe and Asia closer, strengthens our region’s strategic significance in the global trade and logistics network,” said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during the official opening ceremony of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line.

According to the PM, with full operation of the route, the railway line’s capacity will reach five million tons per year, significantly increasing the region’s transit capacity and further strengthening the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor.

“I am happy that I participate in the official opening ceremony of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line, which is a project of historic significance. This is another example of strategic partnership and exemplary cooperation among Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkiye.

The Georgian section of the new Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the region, stretching over 180 kilometers from Marabda to the Turkish border, of which 153 kilometres of railway line were reconstructed, and a new 27-kilometer-long new trailway line of modern standards was constructed.

Through the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line, which has operated since 2017 until today in the test regime, over 1.8 million tons of cargo were transited, including 90 thousand containers. This period witnessed the cargo transit fast-growing dynamics, which once again confirms the economic and logistic significance of this transport corridor.

This railway line is an indispensable part of the Middle Corridor, which is assigned utmost significance in the connectivity between Europe and Asia. When fully operational, the capacity of the railway line will reach 5 million tons, which will significantly boost our region’s transit capabilities and will increase the Middle Corridor’s competitiveness.

This project takes on even greater importance in the face of global challenges and crises, when diversification of international trade routes and secure transport networks are key prerequisites for economic development. The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line brings Europe and Asia closer, strengthens our region’s strategic significance in the global trade and logistics network,” he said.