Istanbul: Turkey and Egypt have signed a memorandum of understanding to improve cooperation on the utilization of international transport corridors, as announced by Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu. The agreement aims to enhance collaboration on key transport routes, including the Middle Corridor and the Development Road.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the announcement was made by Uraloglu after discussions held during the 5th Turkish Maritime Summit in Istanbul. In a post on the platform "InSocial," Uraloglu mentioned that the memorandum was signed with Egyptian Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir following a bilateral meeting between the two officials.

The agreement outlines joint efforts to optimize the use of international transport corridors, notably the Middle Corridor and the Development Road, and to improve transit transport. Uraloglu highlighted plans to advance cooperation in the transport sector through the development of Ro-Ro lines, which are essential for transporting land vehicles across the sea. This initiative is expected to facilitate transport operations and boost the movement of passengers and goods.

The Middle Corridor plays a crucial role in linking China and Europe, running through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. This route significantly reduces delivery time between Europe and Asia to 15 days and positions Turkey as a central hub connected to 21 countries. The corridor extends 4,256 kilometers by land and 508 kilometers by sea.

Meanwhile, the Development Road project is designed to connect Iraq and Turkey with a road and railway spanning 1,200 kilometers within Iraq. This project is pivotal for transporting goods between Europe and the Gulf states, serving as a vital link between Turkey, Iraq, and the Arabian Gulf. It offers one of the shortest pathways connecting the Gulf states to Europe.