EU Calls Türkiye Key Gateway to China and Central Asia

The European Union has underscored Türkiye’s pivotal role in regional transport and connectivity, describing the country as indispensable for Europe’s access to China and Central Asia. Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, emphasized the strategic importance of cooperation with Ankara during the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 15.

Speaking on a panel titled “Open Corridor Policy? Deepening Trans-Caspian Cooperation,” which also featured Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Kos described Türkiye as a “critical partner on the road to China.”

Her remarks reflect growing European interest in alternative trade corridors that strengthen supply chains and reduce transit dependence on traditional routes.

Trans-Caspian Corridor Gains Momentum

Kos highlighted that regional transport and connectivity projects are not only significant for Azerbaijan but also for the European continent. Enhanced infrastructure links would strengthen Europe’s logistical access to Central Asia and China, regions that have become increasingly important for trade diversification.

She noted that the Trans-Caspian transport corridor has the potential to triple traffic volume by 2030, halve transit times, and generate substantial annual cost savings. Such gains could reshape trade flows across Eurasia, particularly as geopolitical shifts encourage route diversification.

According to Kos, infrastructure planning must be approached comprehensively rather than through fragmented projects. Completing isolated sections, she stressed, would not deliver the systemic transformation needed for sustainable connectivity.

EU Cooperation with Türkiye, Armenia and Azerbaijan

Kos pointed to the evolving peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan as a turning point that has unlocked previously unavailable opportunities for regional cooperation. The European Union, she said, strongly supports this diplomatic momentum.

“For example, we are creating a project list and project pipeline with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Türkiye,” Kos stated, underlining the multilateral nature of the effort.

The commissioner added that feasibility studies for the Azerbaijan-Nakhchivan railway line are under consideration, emphasizing that major infrastructure initiatives require the active participation of private investors.

She also referenced the potential strategic value of integrating initiatives such as the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP)” with Nakhchivan, describing such coordination as a possible “game changer” for the broader region.

Türkiye’s Central Role in Multi-Layered Cooperation

Kos framed regional collaboration as operating across multiple dimensions. “We have different relationship metrics. We have bilateral relations. It’s not just Armenia-Azerbaijan, there’s also Türkiye. Armenia, Türkiye-Azerbaijan. So there are three countries. With the EU, we are four,” she said.

“Therefore, this is not possible without good cooperation,” she added, highlighting the necessity of sustained diplomatic engagement among all parties.

Her comments signal Brussels’ recognition that Türkiye occupies a central geographic and strategic position in any Eurasian connectivity framework. From rail corridors to logistics hubs, Türkiye serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia.

Addressing potential new routes to Iran, Kos remarked: “Türkiye is ready to establish another railway connection,” indicating Ankara’s willingness to expand its transport integration footprint.

High-Level Turkish Representation in Munich

Türkiye’s participation at the 62nd Munich Security Conference reflected the significance it attaches to regional security and economic diplomacy. The country was represented by Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, National Intelligence Organization (MIT) President İbrahim Kalın, Parliamentary National Defense Commission Chairman Hulusi Akar, and Presidential Foreign Policy and Security Chief Advisor Akif Çağatay Kılıç.

The presence of senior officials underscores Ankara’s active engagement in discussions surrounding regional connectivity, security, and trade corridors.

Strategic Implications for Europe and Eurasia

As Europe seeks to diversify supply chains and secure resilient transport links, the Trans-Caspian route and related projects have gained renewed urgency. Strengthened connectivity between Europe, Türkiye, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia could reshape regional trade architecture over the next decade.

Türkiye’s geographic location, established logistics infrastructure, and diplomatic engagement position it as a cornerstone of these efforts. For the EU, deeper cooperation with Ankara on transport corridors is increasingly framed as a strategic necessity rather than an optional partnership.