Tbilisi (GBC) - Georgia and Azerbaijan are taking their railway cooperation to a new level. Tamar Ioseliani, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, and Lasha Abashidze, CEO of Georgian Railway, met with Rovshan Rustamov, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways, on Thursday to discuss regional transport collaboration.

The key outcome of the meeting is that Georgian Railway will have exclusive rights to operate cargo transport on the Marabda–Kartsakhi line. This agreement strengthens the competitiveness of the “Middle Corridor” and aims to attract additional freight to the region.

Special attention was given to the official opening of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway, a strategically significant development for the South Caucasus. The agreement was signed by Lasha Abashidze for Georgia and Levon Kankava and Mikael Abasov for BTKI Railways.

Officials highlighted that the deal will enhance Georgia’s transit and logistics capacity, boosting revenues from international freight. “This agreement is a major milestone for the country’s railway infrastructure and regional economic cooperation, improving competitiveness and strengthening Georgia’s logistics capabilities,” the statement noted.