The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line brings Europe and Asia even closer together and strengthens the strategic importance of our region in the global trade and logistics network. Such a statement the Prime Minister of Georgia made at the official opening ceremony of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line.

As he noted, with the full operation of the route, the carrying capacity of the railway line will reach 5 million tons per year, which significantly increases the region’s transit capabilities and further strengthens the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor.

“I am pleased to participate today in the official opening ceremony of the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line. This is a project of historical importance. This is another clear example of the strategic partnership and exemplary cooperation between Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.

The Georgian section of the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line is one of the largest infrastructure projects implemented in the region. Its length from Marabda to the Turkish border is 180 km, of which 153 km of track underwent rehabilitation and reconstruction, and 27 km of completely new railway line was built according to modern standards.

Through the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which has been functioning in test mode since 2017, more than 1.8 million tons of cargo, including up to 90 000 containers, have been transported in pilot mode.

During this period, a growing dynamics of freight transportation clearly emerged, which once again confirms the economic and logistical importance of this transport corridor. This railway line is an integral part of the Middle Corridor, and the Middle Corridor is assigned a special significance in connecting Europe and Asia.

With the full operation of the route, the carrying capacity of the railway line will reach 5 million tons per year, which significantly increases our region’s transit capabilities and further strengthens the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor.

This project acquires even greater importance against the backdrop of global challenges and crises, when the diversification of international trade routes and secure transport networks are the primary prerequisites for economic development. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line brings Europe and Asia even closer together and strengthens the strategic importance of our region in the global trade and logistics network”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.