Erdoğan hails Caspian Middle Corridor as modern Silk Road

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday emphasized the growing significance of the Caspian-transit East-West Middle Corridor, describing it as the “modern-day equivalent of the Silk Road” during a press conference in Kazakhstan.

A strategic trade route

Erdoğan stated that the corridor’s importance is becoming clearer with each passing day, vowing that Ankara will continue working with Kazakhstan and other partners to promote the route for cargo shipments and the transportation of energy resources to Western markets. “We wish to transport larger volumes of oil from Kazakhstan, one of the world’s leading crude oil exporters, to global markets via our country,” he added.

Türkiye’s role as energy hub

The Middle Corridor runs through the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus, and Türkiye, offering a shorter and more secure alternative to northern routes. Türkiye continues to position itself as a key energy hub, leveraging its geography to connect Central Asian energy producers with European consumers. Ankara’s strategic partnership with Kazakhstan spans trade, defense, and energy, with both nations committed to deepening economic integration.