Azerbaijan’s Key Role in the Middle Corridor highlighted at the conference in Hamburg
Hamburg, February 20, 2025 – The international conference „New Routes, New Markets. Global Gateway and potential markets along the ‘Middle Corridor’“ placed the growing strategic importance of the Middle Corridor at the center of discussions in Hamburg. Organized by the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and the German Eastern Business Association, the event brought together over 200 leading business representatives, high-ranking officials, experts from renowned think tanks, media representatives, and diplomats accredited in Germany.
Ambassador Aghayev: "The Middle Corridor is not just an alternative but a strategic route"
In his opening speech, Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Germany, Nasimi Aghayev, emphasized the strategic relevance of the Middle Corridor and underscored Azerbaijan’s key role as a central link in this trade route. Against the backdrop of geopolitical shifts in Eurasia, he pointed to Azerbaijan’s massive investments over the past two decades to modernize and expand the corridor’s infrastructure.
Aghayev said: “For Azerbaijan, the Middle Corridor is more than a temporary alternative or contingency plan—it is a strategic, long-term trade route that embodies our vision for regional connectivity and economic integration. Over the past two decades, Azerbaijan has made substantial investments in the corridor’s infrastructure, transforming it into a modern, efficient, and sustainable transport hub… For German companies, the opportunities go far beyond transportation and logistics. This Corridor presents a strategic gateway to establish production hubs, boost exports, and tap into emerging markets along this dynamic route and beyond.”
Baku: An Emerging Hub for Eurasian Trade
During the panel discussion “Port and Logistics”, Taleh Ziyadov, Director-General of the Baku International Sea Trade Port, outlined Azerbaijan’s growing importance as a regional and global transportation hub.
He particularly emphasized Baku’s strategic role as a logistics hub, increasingly serving as a key transshipment point
for international trade flows.
Air Freight as a Growth Engine: Silk Way West Airlines Leads the Way
Another major topic at the conference was the air transport infrastructure along the Middle Corridor. Wolfgang Meier, CEO/President of Azerbaijan’s Silk Way West Airlines, highlighted that Azerbaijan has emerged as a leading air cargo hub in the region. The country plays a crucial role in international air freight transport.
The conference in Hamburg strongly underscored that the Middle Corridor is no longer just an alternative trade route—it is a key project for the economic future of Europe and Asia. Azerbaijan is playing a leading role in this transformation, positioning itself as an essential hub in global trade.