Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A conference entitled “Middle Corridor: a safe transit route between Italy, Azerbaijan and Central Asia” was held in the Senate of the Italian Parliament, organized by the Italian Institute for Asia (ISIA), Dunyo news agency reported.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Edmondo Chirielli, heads of diplomatic missions of the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, prominent parliamentarians and analysts of Italy.

Opening the conference, the Chairman of the Commission for Regional Relations of both chambers of the Italian Parliament, Senator Francesco Silvestro, emphasized the importance of the renewed attention of Italian business to the developing countries of Central Asia. He expressed confidence that cooperation can lead to important and mutually beneficial results.

The main focus of the conference was to discuss the successful experience of the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the “Middle Corridor”.

According to the speakers, this route represents a relevant alternative to international trade routes between Asia and Europe in the new geopolitical conditions. Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy Edmondo Cirielli emphasized that Italy is ready to make a fundamental contribution to the development of transport infrastructure and support for the economies of the region.

Ambassador of Uzbekistan Abat Fayzullaev spoke in detail about the Strategy for the development of the transport system of Uzbekistan until 2035, in which the Trans-Caspian corridor plays a key role. He also emphasized the importance of working to improve the mechanisms for transporting and processing goods in the region.

The speakers noted that the development of the Trans-Caspian Corridor contributes to the intensification of trade and economic cooperation between Italy and the European Union as a whole with the regions of the Caucasus and Central Asia.