Azerbaijan and Georgia have agreed on a series of measures to accelerate cross-border railway operations and improve the efficiency of the Middle Corridor, following a high-level meeting between railway officials and relevant state agencies at the Boyuk Kesik border station.

The sides agreed to introduce operational and digital reforms aimed at reducing freight train transit times, including expanding real-time electronic data exchange between Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) and Georgian Railways, improving coordination between customs authorities, and streamlining border crossing procedures.

Among the key decisions was the elimination of duplicate technical inspections of freight wagons. Under the new system, inspections will be carried out only at Boyuk Kesik for trains travelling from Azerbaijan to Georgia and at Tbilisi Junction for trains travelling in the opposite direction. The two railway administrations also agreed to allow ADY electric locomotives to operate continuously between Boyuk Kesik and Tbilisi without separating train compositions at the border.

According to ADY, the changes are expected to halve freight train transit times across the Azerbaijan-Georgia border. The meeting also addressed preparations for an additional Baku-Tbilisi passenger rail service, with both sides discussing simplified border and customs procedures to improve passenger travel.

The measures form part of broader efforts by Azerbaijan and Georgia to strengthen the Middle Corridor, enhance regional transport connectivity and improve the competitiveness of the route linking Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Europe.