Türkiye's Zangezur Corridor Railway Construction Boosts Regional Trade and Connectivity

Türkiye has embarked on the construction of a pivotal railway that will represent a strategic segment of the much-anticipated Zangezur Corridor—a key transit route slated to reshape transportation and trade dynamics across the South Caucasus. The Kars-Igdir-Aralik-Dilucu Railway Line, extending 224 kilometers, is designed to connect Türkiye's Kars province with Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu emphasized that this development is not merely an infrastructural addition but a stride towards reinforcing Türkiye's geostrategic leadership.

The railway is expected to ferry 5.5 million passengers and 15 million tons of cargo each year upon completion. Constructed as a double-track electrified system, it will feature several sophisticated engineering structures, including five tunnels and three viaducts, enhancing both regional and international connectivity. Türkiye's Treasury and Finance Ministry secured external financing of $2.79 billion for this ambitious venture, reflecting substantial international confidence and collaboration.

This initiative follows a significant trilateral summit held at the White House, where Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and former U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged a joint declaration aiming to ameliorate long-standing hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Zangezur Corridor stands as a testament to this diplomatic progress, facilitating the reopening of essential transport routes.

The corridor, which will eventually expand to include oil and gas pipelines as well as fiber optic lines, has sparked geopolitical interest, notably from Iran, which perceives potential ramifications for its influence in the region. Nonetheless, discussions surrounding the finer details of the corridor continue, with Türkiye taking structured steps towards its full operational status projected within four to five years.

The Zangezur Corridor promises to bolster economic cooperation among Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Armenia while simultaneously fostering regional peace. Its role as a vital artery for the Southern Caucasus could signify a transformative era for global trade routes. Given Azerbaijan's status as a noteworthy oil and gas producer, this corridor will facilitate more direct links to Türkiye and further to Europe, enhancing energy exports and economic ties.

Uraloğlu highlighted that Türkiye's strategic geographic position as a natural crossroad between continents reaffirms its pivotal role in the Middle Corridor, a significant route extending from the Caucasus through Central Asia to Africa. Reflecting upon recent global political shifts, the Middle Corridor's importance is rising, with Türkiye at its core, poised to offer a more efficient transit path that extends from China to Britain, potentially reinvigorating ancient corridors akin to the Silk and Spice Roads.

As construction advances, the Kars-Iğdır-Aralık-Dilucu railway line sets the groundwork not only for infrastructural enhancement but also for diplomatic relations normalization in the Southern Caucasus. The prospect of uniting regional dynamics through this corridor stands as a milestone in the pursuit of sustained peace and prosperity across territories previously marred by prolonged conflicts. In light of these developments, Türkiye looks forward to a golden era in trade alliances that echo the harmony of past centuries.