Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the fully operational Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway line will strengthen the strategic importance of the South Caucasus in global trade and logistics while bringing Europe and Asia closer together.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the railway line on June 2, Kobakhidze described the project as a historic achievement and a successful example of strategic cooperation between Georgia, Azerbaijan and Türkiye.
“The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line brings Europe and Asia closer, strengthens our region’s strategic significance in the global trade and logistics network,” the Prime Minister said.
Kobakhidze claimed that the Georgian section of the railway is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the region. The Marabda–Kartsakhi section stretches for more than 180 kilometers, including the reconstruction of 153 kilometers of existing railway and the construction of a new 27-kilometer line built to modern standards.
The Prime Minister noted that since the railway began operating in a test mode in 2017, more than 1.8 million tons of cargo and around 90,000 containers have been transported through the corridor. He said the steady growth in freight volumes highlights the route’s increasing economic and logistical importance.
Kobakhidze emphasized that the BTK railway is a key component of the so-called Middle Corridor, a transport route connecting Europe and Asia. With full-scale operations now underway, the line’s annual cargo capacity is expected to reach five million tons, significantly boosting regional transit capabilities and enhancing the competitiveness of the corridor.
He also stressed that the project has gained additional importance amid ongoing global challenges and geopolitical uncertainties, arguing that diversified trade routes and secure transport networks are becoming increasingly important for economic development and international connectivity.
“The full operation of this railway line will significantly strengthen the region’s transit potential and further increase the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor,” Kobakhidze said.
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