Ankara: The Turkish foreign minister has underscored the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor as a critical trade route connecting Asia and Europe. This announcement was made during the second trilateral meeting involving the ministries of foreign affairs, transport, and trade from Trkiye, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan.

According to Anadolu Agency, Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the resilience and economic efficiency of the Middle Corridor, which encompasses Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus, and Trkiye. He noted that disruptions in global supply chains due to the pandemic and regional conflicts have highlighted the corridor's reliability.

Fidan pointed out that recent energy crises, exacerbated by international sanctions and counter-sanctions, have increased the geostrategic value of Central Asia and the Caucasus, positioning Trkiye as a crucial energy hub.

In addition to discussing trade routes, Fidan called for support in Syria's reconstruction, emphasizing that Syria's stability is vital for regional security and could unlock new opportunities in logistics, trade, and energy sectors.

During the meeting, Fidan mentioned that the participating countries would explore cooperation opportunities in connectivity projects and political and economic partnerships. The discussions aim to culminate in a joint declaration documenting these agreements, with a roadmap for future actions.

The meeting's agenda included evaluating developments affecting the region and discussing ways to enhance trade, economy, and investment. Fidan highlighted Trkiye's growing trade volume with the Turkic world and expressed the intent to strengthen transportation networks in collaboration with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

The meeting, hosted in Ankara, was attended by notable officials, including Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu. The gathering is expected to conclude with the signing of the "Ankara Declaration" and an Action Plan outlining future collaborative efforts.

This trilateral format was first initiated on August 2, 2022, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, aiming to bolster economic, transportation, and energy connectivity along the historical Silk Road.