ArmInfo. On November 27, on the sidelines of the Tashkent Investor Forum on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and Connectivity Development, RA Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Martha Kos.
According to the MTAI press service, the meeting discussed issues related to more active EU involvement in Armenia's infrastructure projects. Martha Kos welcomed Armenia's efforts to establish peace and stability in the region and emphasized the country's significance in the EU's connectivity agenda.
It's worth noting that in an interview with Report's European Bureau, Marta Kos stated that the European Union is firmly committed to developing the Trans-Caspian Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, into a reliable long-term alternative to the Northern Route. "The Middle Corridor offers geopolitical and economic benefits to all countries along this route. It integrates a network of railways and ports connecting China, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Black Sea with Europe," the European Commissioner said.
According to her, freight traffic along the Middle Corridor has already quadrupled between 2022 and today. "By 2030, it could triple if investments are directed toward expanding capacity and eliminating existing bottlenecks. These issues will be key topics of discussion at the forum in Tashkent," Kos noted.
The EU's own experience has demonstrated the dangers of over-dependence on a single country or source, the Commissioner emphasized. This could lead to energy pressure, shortages of essential raw materials, or excessive reliance on digital technologies, limiting freedom of action. "Investments in the development of transport, digital, and energy infrastructure create more opportunities and reduce the risks of external pressure," she concluded. Recall, the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor is a flagship project of the EU's Global Gateway strategy and aims to ensure connectivity between Europe and Central Asia via transit through the South Caucasus.
