The expert believes that the railway could be extended through Uzbekistan to the Caspian Sea, then through Azerbaijan and Turkey to European countries.

«Then Kyrgyzstan, which has long been perceived as a state located deep in Central Asia, will gain more direct access to Western markets,» Toğrul İsmayıl noted.

In his opinion, the development of such a route is also beneficial for Azerbaijan, as it will allow the country to strengthen its role as a transport and logistics hub between Central Asia and Europe.

The expert also linked the project’s prospects to the development of the Middle Corridor—a transport route between China and Europe through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus, and Turkey.

He named transport routes through Zangezur as an additional link in this system, which could provide connections between the mainland of Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan, and Turkey.

Toğrul İsmayıl noted that the Central Asian states are interested in diversifying transport routes, accessing new markets, and attracting investment. Azerbaijan, in turn, seeks to strengthen its position as a transport and energy hub between East and West.

Construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway officially began in December 2024. The Kyrgyz section will run along the Torugart — Makmal — Jalal-Abad route and is intended to connect the railway networks of China and Uzbekistan.