Strategic Connectivity: The Middle Corridor's Role in European Economic Security (hcss.nl)

• Strategic alternative to Russia-based northern trade routes
• Crucial for critical raw material access and trade diversification
• Infrastructure and regulatory integration required for viability

"The HCSS report assesses the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) as a vital strategic alternative to Russian-controlled northern trade routes. To enhance sovereignty, the EU must move beyond passive observation, actively fostering infrastructure development, tariff harmonisation, and institutional governance across Central Asia and the Caucasus. While not a replacement for maritime freight, the corridor is essential for supply chain diversification, securing access to critical materials, and mitigating risks associated with geopolitical shocks to global trade networks."