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Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced that the proposed Zangezur Corridor will become a crucial component of major regional transport routes, strengthening peace and multilateral partnerships across the region.
Speaking at the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State Council Summit in Tianjin, China, Aliyev said the corridor would serve as "the next important section of both the Middle Corridor and the North-South Corridor" in the near future.
The Azerbaijani leader is in Tianjin on an official visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, participating in the expanded session of the SCO summit.
Aliyev highlighted the transformation of Azerbaijan-China relations over the past two years, describing them as reaching "a qualitatively new stage." He characterized the signing of a Joint Declaration on establishing strategic partnership between the two countries this year as "a historic event" that would "open a new page in Azerbaijan-China relations."
The president expressed Azerbaijan's support for China's global initiatives, including the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative. He praised China's Global Governance Initiative as "an important step aimed at improving international relations based on sovereign equality of states, respect for the UN Charter and international law."
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Aliyev noted that bilateral cooperation spans political, economic-trade, investment, energy, transport-logistics, digital economy, science and technology, education and cultural development sectors. Since July, both countries have implemented a visa-free regime for their citizens, boosting tourism development.
Positioning Azerbaijan as a key transport and logistics hub in Eurasia, Aliyev emphasized the country's role in developing international transport corridors and modern infrastructure. He said the East-West and North-South corridors have created "new economic and transport perspectives."
The president announced plans to increase the capacity of Alat International Seaport from 15 million tons to 25 million tons annually. He reported that cargo transportation through the Middle Corridor via Azerbaijan has increased by approximately 90 percent since 2022, with transit times significantly reduced.
"The Middle Corridor is a reliable and safe route connecting China and Central Asia with Europe through Azerbaijan," Aliyev stated.
Recent agreements to establish connections between Azerbaijan's mainland and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will expand transit opportunities for international cargo transportation, according to the president.
Aliyev concluded that the Zangezur Corridor would benefit "near and distant neighbors located to the east, west, north and south of Azerbaijan's borders," reinforcing the country's position as a regional connectivity hub.
Azerbaijan has been among the first countries to support China's Belt and Road Initiative, with several practical projects already implemented under this framework.
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