EditOfficials push Middle Corridor as strategic EU link ahead of Tokayev’s Brussels visit
A high-level conference organised by Kazakhstan’s national raiways highlighted growing momentum for diversified Europe-Asia connectivity
Senior Kazakh and European officials gathered today at a business conference organised by Kazakhstan’s national railway company KTZ to promote the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) as a key pillar of resilient, sustainable and diversified connectivity between Europe and Asia, just one day before President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Brussels.
Asel Zhanassova, Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of Kazakhstan, opened the event by underlining Europe’s historic success through openness and trade. “Europe has always prospered when it remains connected to the world,” she said. “The question is not whether trade will grow. The question is how to make supply chains more diversified.” She described the Middle Corridor as far more than an additional route: “For European companies, it’s a tool for diversifying supply chains, developing multimodal transportation, and increasing the resilience of logistics,” while stressing the need for predictable delivery times, transparent monitoring, reduced administrative procedures and lower emissions.
Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director-General at the European Commission’s DG INTPA, called the corridor “a strategic asset under the Global Gateway strategy” and a “transformative project” for both regions. She stressed the importance of a “whole-of-corridor” approach covering every segment – from inland terminals in Central Asia to Caspian ports such as Aktau, South Caucasus links and onward to Europe – and announced the launch tomorrow of a new Connectivity Agenda Platform to improve coordination.
Kuyanishbek Yessekeev, Assistant to the President of Kazakhstan, highlighted the digital transformation. “We are building the Middle Corridor not only as a trade route but also as a digital corridor,” he said. He pointed to the planned Trans-Caspian fibre optic cable, Kazakhstan’s creation of the region’s first dedicated AI ministry, a new international AI centre, national supercomputing capabilities, and the forthcoming first specialised artificial intelligence university in Central Asia. “A modern Eurasian corridor must move data as efficiently as it moves cargo.”
Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev presented the most tangible figures. Kazakhstan is investing $50 billion in infrastructure until 2030, with $40 billion already disbursed. “We have launched 5,000 kilometres more of railroads in recent years,” he said. “Previously we transported cargo from Xian to Georgian ports in 50-60 days – now it takes only 18 days.” He also announced major upgrades to cargo aviation, runway modernisation across the country, and a significant new Airbus contract expected during President Tokayev’s visit. The minister invited European businesses to bring their expertise and projects to the corridor.
Charlotte Adriaen, Head of the Central Asia Unit at DG INTPA, welcomed the corridor’s evolution “from a concept to a reality” and a flagship of the Global Gateway. “The Middle Corridor is only as strong as its weakest link,” she emphasised. “That is why we must adopt a whole-of-corridor approach – ensuring that every segment, from inland terminals in Central Asia to Caspian ports, South Caucasus rail links, and European gateways, functions seamlessly as one integrated system.” She confirmed over €10 billion pledged since 2024 and set a new target of reducing average transit times to 15 days while improving predictability and reliability.
Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov recalled that December marked the 10th anniversary of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the EU. He noted that the EU accounts for roughly 40% of Kazakhstan’s foreign trade and over $200 billion in FDI since 2005. “We are no longer landlocked — we are land-linked,” he declared, inviting European companies to view Kazakhstan as a manufacturing base within special economic zones rather than just a transit country. He also highlighted the importance of peace in the South Caucasus for unlocking further connectivity potential.
Hussein Ozhan, EBRD Managing Director for Central Asia and Mongolia, said the bank has invested more than €11 billion in Kazakhstan since 1992 and expects to sign a €230 million road project during the presidential visit. “Cargo volumes on the route have grown dramatically,” he said. “The corridor is becoming a commercial proposition that is maturing rapidly. It will only reach its full potential when the private sector sees it as the first-choice route, not a contingency.”
The conference underscored Kazakhstan’s ambition to position the country not merely as a transit hub but as a platform for investment, innovation, green technologies, industrial cooperation and value creation with the European Union.
Opinion: Kazakhstan needs to turn Middle Corridor into economic growth
Caption: The conference gathered officials, experts, business representatives diplomats from Europe and Central Asia [Photo: Georgi Gotev]
Updated: June 22, 2026 - 14:24
