Ilham Aliyev: Middle Corridor reliably connects China and Europe via Azerbaijan

The Middle Corridor is a reliable and safe route connecting China, Central Asia with Europe through Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) plus meeting in Tianjin on Monday.

The head of state stressed that the volume of cargo flows via the Middle corridor through Azerbaijan has risen nearly by 90% since 2022.

He noted that the agreements reached recently, connecting mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, will foster broader transit possibilities for international transportation.

"The Zangezur corridor will soon become yet another important segment of the Middle Corridor and also of the North-South corridor, which should strengthen peace and multilateral partnership," Ilham Aliyev said.

The Azerbaijani leader noted that the Zangezur corridor will benefit all of Azerbaijan's neighbors far and near, east, west, north and south of its borders.

He noted that Azerbaijan-China relations have reached a qualitatively new level over the past two years.

"Azerbaijan and China are bound by warm, friendly relations and comprehensive strategic partnership. Enhancing these relations is one of important areas of the foreign policy of Azerbaijan," Ilham Aliyev said.

According to the head of state, this year's signing of a joint statement establishing strategic partnership between the two countries was a "historical event": this opened a new page in the bilateral relations.

He added that Azerbaijan is China's reliable partner in South Caucasus.

"We are making a contribution to maintaining international and regional peace and security, implementing large-scale economic, transport and energy projects," Ilham Aliyev said.

The head of state recalled that Azerbaijan was among the first to have backed the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by the Chinese president, and is implementing serious practical projects in this area.