Recent blockage of the Suez Channel has shown the importance of transport corridor across Central Asia through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. It is written by Belgium Modern Diplomacy.

The publication notes that manmade Suez Channel remains one of the most loaded sea trade routes in the world, which provides 7 percent of the world maritime cargo traffick.

The amount of economic impact from the blockage of the Suez Channel has proved the fragility of global transport structure and raised a concern about development of alternative land or maritime transport routes. In particular, Russia proposed the Northern Sea Route while Iran – the North – South transport corridor.

Noting benefits and disadvantages of Russian and Iranian proposals, Modern Diplomacy highlights the currency of transportation between Europe and Asia across Central Asia or Middle Corridor.

The publication writes that Middle Corridor starts in Turkey, runs across Georgia and Azerbaijan, cross the Caspian Sea, reach Central Asia and stretched to China through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

According to Modern Diplomacy, the corridor across Central Asia has number of advantages comparing with traditional transport routes. It is 2,000 km shorter than Trans – Siberian route and runs across the regions with more favorable climate. Comparing with traditional sea route, the cargos from China to Europe can be delivered three time faster for 15 days only using this corridor.

In addition, the initiative of Middle Corridor is supported by Afghanistan and Tajikistan. These countries can cooperate with Middle Corridor through Lapis Lazuli Corridor and transport their production to all Asian directions and to Europe.

Modern Diplomacy also reminds that the Agreement on establishment of Lapis Lazuli was signed by Georgia, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey in Ashgabat in November 2017.