Trieste Hosts Conference on Advancing Kazakhstan – Italy Transport and Logistics Partnership

Trieste, May 8, 2025 – A high-level conference titled “The Middle Corridor: Connecting Europe with Kazakhstan through the Ports of Trieste and Monfalcone” took place in Italy’s major port city of Trieste. The event focused on enhancing transport and logistics cooperation between Kazakhstan and Italy. Participants included Members of the European Parliament, officials from the ports of Trieste and Monfalcone, and executives from leading logistics companies.

Kazakhstan was represented by Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Italy Yerbolat Sembayev, Chairman of the Committee for Railway and Water Transport of the Ministry of Transport Zhanibek Taizhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Company “Aktau International Sea Commercial Port” Ivan Goncharov, as well as representatives from several Kazakh transport and logistics companies.

The conference highlighted the growing importance of Kazakhstan as a key partner and central hub in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) – now viewed as a strategic alternative trade corridor between Asia and Europe amid shifting geopolitical conditions.

In his remarks, Ambassador Sembayev emphasized that developing international logistics and resilient transport corridors is a strategic priority for Kazakhstan, given its central location in Eurasia. He noted that Kazakhstan sees Italy not only as a reliable political and economic partner, but also as a vital link in broader Eurasian integration.

“The Port of Trieste, with its unique geographic location and advanced infrastructure, serves as a key gateway to the European Union. Kazakhstan is interested in fostering direct and mutually beneficial cooperation between Trieste and Kazakhstan’s Caspian ports – Aktau and Kuryk,” he said.

The Ambassador added that greater interaction between the logistics hubs of both countries could boost trade between Europe and Asia, especially as the TITR gains momentum alongside the new India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), with Trieste well-positioned to receive increasing cargo flows. “Kazakhstan is already a vital transit hub for trade between China, Central Asia, and Europe. Over 80% of China–Europe overland transit passes through Kazakhstan. We are ready to offer Italian partners our logistics infrastructure, investment potential, and political stability for joint projects,” Sembayev stated.

Chairman Taizhanov outlined Kazakhstan’s measures to expand transit and upgrade infrastructure, presenting the TITR Development Roadmap through 2027 and highlighting key rail and maritime projects.

Speaking at the conference, Member of the European Parliament Anna Maria Cisint underscored the strategic importance of the TITR not only for Kazakhstan and Asia, but also for Europe.

“Kazakhstan is a key partner and the central hub of the Middle Corridor. Its active role and investment in this strategic route align naturally with European interests. The ports of Trieste and Monfalcone, with their unique advantages, are ideally positioned to become the primary gateways for Kazakh freight into Europe,” she said.

Christiano Donnelly, advisor to the European Parliament’s Transport Committee, echoed these views, emphasizing Kazakhstan’s indispensable role in the corridor’s success.

“The EU fully recognises Kazakhstan as the backbone of the Middle Corridor. Its strategic geography makes it a crucial transit bridge between Asia and Europe. The EU is committed to deepening its dialogue and cooperation with Astana in this area,” Donnelly noted.

The event also featured presentations by Kazakh and Italian logistics companies, showcasing opportunities for collaboration.