TBILISI (Realist English). Railway officials from Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey have agreed on joint steps to enhance the competitiveness of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway, one of the flagship transport routes linking the South Caucasus with Europe.
According to a joint statement released after trilateral talks, the parties plan to shorten delivery times, introduce more flexible tariffs and establish a stable operational regime along the entire route. The initiative aims to attract additional freight traffic and increase transport volumes on the BTK corridor.
The announcement comes as Baku and Ankara advance plans for an alternative route under the TRACECA (TRIPP) framework that would pass through Armenian territory — potentially offering a shorter and more direct connection between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
In this emerging logistical landscape, the positions of BTK participants appear increasingly asymmetrical. If the new route is implemented, Azerbaijan would retain its role as a key hub of the Middle Corridor, regardless of which path future cargo flows take. Turkey, as the final destination and one of the region’s largest markets, would further consolidate its strategic standing.
By contrast, analysts in Baku suggest that Georgia could face growing vulnerability if transit volumes shift toward the alternative route. Azerbaijani media have also noted that historically, Armenia possessed the most developed railway infrastructure in the South Caucasus after the collapse of the Soviet Union — providing the main transit links to both Turkey and Iran.
