The Middle Corridor, officially known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), is a strategic transportation and trade line starting from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and extending through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus, and Türkiye to Europe. This route aims to ensure a logistic continuity between Asia and Europe by integrating land, sea, and railway transportation. The main fields covered by the Corridor include harmonizing customs procedures between countries, modernizing transportation infrastructure, developing digital trade solutions, and increasing port capacities. In this context, not only energy and goods transportation but also regional economic integration and cultural interaction are promoted. Thus, the Middle Corridor plays a central role in reshaping the geo-economic balances in Eurasia and diversifying the global supply chain.
In today’s international system, where energy routes and global trade are being reconfigured, the importance of the Caucasus and Central Asia is increasing day by day. In this context, trilateral summits, which are concrete manifestations of regional partnership, enable the countries in question to institutionalize their common geopolitical and economic interests. One of the most prominent examples of this change is the high-level meetings held on August 22, 2025, in the Turkmenbashi region of Turkmenistan, where comprehensive decisions were made with the participation of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
These summits are not merely diplomatic gatherings, but also a strategic platform that shapes the region’s long-term development perspective. At the summit, steps taken within the scope of developing the Trans-Caspian transport route, known as TITR, aim to strengthen the position of the mentioned three states in the Eurasian trade network. In this perspective, a joint declaration was adopted to deepen cooperation in many key areas such as logistics, transportation, energy, shipbuilding, and civil aviation; in addition, important agreements were signed to support multidimensional economic integration.[i]
Sharing his thoughts on connecting existing and future corridors, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, emphasized that Uzbekistan is going to establish a consistent transcontinental route connecting China with South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This statement demonstrates that the Middle Corridor provides new opportunities for global trade.
Considering the economic indicators, it is possible to see the tangible reflections of this process. In 2025, the trade volume between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan increased by 25% over the past year. In this context, 300 joint ventures continue their activities unabated with a project portfolio worth $4 billion. In the meantime, the two countries have set a target of increasing trade volume to $1 billion by 2030. Trade volume between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan has reached $700 million.[ii]
Partnerships in the energy sector are also remarkable. Through the Green Corridor Union LLC, which was established as a joint venture between Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, the objective is to achieve renewable energy exports up to 5 GW to Europe by 2030.[iii] This initiative reflects efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels in the region and is also envisaged to contribute to Europe’s energy security. Furthermore, the fact that Azerbaijan’s SOCAR company has begun developing oil fields in Uzbekistan demonstrates that traditional energy reserves are already an essential area of business partnership between the two countries.[iv]
Humanitarian relations and cultural issues between countries are as remarkable as energy and economic partnerships. The Mirzo Ulugbek School built in Azerbaijan’s Fuzuli city in collaboration with Uzbekistan, the Friendship Museum and Uzbekistan Park being constructed in Azerbaijan, are among the examples that embody the bonds of fraternal relations between the states.[v] Such symbolic practices have a more lasting impact than diplomatic relations. Cultural diplomacy, which fosters affinity and trust between societies, functions as an agent of soft power that supports economic partnership. Besides, cultural cooperation contributes to strengthening regional identity and creates a common communal ground for the integration of the Turkic World.
In conclusion, the tripartite summits held in 2025 have once again demonstrated the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor. The agreements signed in many different fields, such as energy, economy, and transportation, not only serve regional prosperity but also ensure the safe and sustainable flow of trade between Europe and Asia. Meanwhile, humanitarian and cultural partnerships make this strategic partnership stronger and more enduring by propagating it among the grassroots. Considering the importance of energy and transportation projects for China, the European Union, and other major actors, this trilateral partnership is expected to have multidimensional impacts on the international system. Therefore, it is possible to deduce that these summits are not merely diplomatic gatherings but strategic steps that resonate globally.
[i] “Turkmenbashi hosts high-level meeting between Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan”, News.Az, https://news.az/news/turkmenbashi-hosts-high-level-meeting-between-turkmenistan-azerbaijan-uzbekistan, (Access Date: 16.09.2025).
[ii] “Uzbekistan joins Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan in push for expanded trade and transit corridors”, İntelli News, https://www.intellinews.com/uzbekistan-joins-turkmenistan-and-azerbaijan-in-push-for-expanded-trade-and-transit-corridors-397639/, (Access Date: 16.09.2025).
[iii] Same place.
[iv] “Trilateral Summit between Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan”, Eurore Porter, https://www.eureporter.co/world/azerbaijan-world/2025/08/23/trilateral-summit-between-azerbaijan-turkmenistan-and-uzbekistan/ (Access Date: 16.09.2025).
[v] Same place.
