BAKU: Iran and Russia have underlined extra enhancement of cooperation within the framework of the international North-South corridor, Trend reports.
According to information, this was discussed between Executive Director of Iranian Railway Company Jabar Ali Zakeri and Russian Ambassador to Iran Alexey Dedov.
The executive director of Iranian Railway Company Jabar Ali Zakeri expressed hope that, given the large number of transit requests, transportation of goods from India through the North-South international corridor will increase.
Zakeri proposed holding a joint technical meeting of Iranian and Russian railroad companies in Tehran and noted the need to study border problems and Russia’s ability to invest in Iranian railroad projects.
During the meeting, Russian Ambassador to Iran Alexey Dedov also suggested holding an international meeting in Iran with the participation of representatives of the countries the North-South corridor passes through.
To note, Russia and Iran signed an agreement on May 17,
2023, to build the Rasht-Astara railroad in Gilan province in northern Iran. Nine stations will be built on the Rasht-Astara railroad line, which is about 163 kilometers long. With the completion of this railroad, the North-South international corridor will be improved, and Iran’s railroad network will be integrated with Caucasus countries, Russia, and Northern European countries. According to the agreement, the Russian side is expected to spend 1.6 billion euros for the construction of this railroad. This railroad will be built and completed within 48 months.
The intergovernmental agreement signed between Russia, Iran, and India on September 12, 2000, laid the foundation for the North-South Transport Corridor. In general, several countries have ratified the said agreement. (Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Bulgaria, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Sultanate of Oman, Russian Federation, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Trkiye, Ukrain
e). The purpose of establishing the corridor is to reduce the delivery time of cargo traveling from India to Russia, as well as to Northern and Western Europe (the delivery time along the existing route is more than six weeks, it is expected to be three weeks via North-South).
The Gazvin-Rasht railroad, stretching 175 km, hit the ground running on March 6, 2019, linking Azerbaijan’s railroads with Iran’s railway network in the corridor. The Rasht-Astara railroad is set to take shape on Iranian soil.
The North-South Corridor has three directions within Iran. The eastern direction is Turkmenistan and Central Asian countries, the middle direction is Russia and other countries across the Caspian Sea, and the western direction is Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern European countries.
Source: Trend News Agency