Today, Wednesday, Russia and Iran signed an agreement for joint cooperation, which includes the construction of a railway linking the port of Astara to the city of Rasht in northern Iran.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Ibrahim Raisi participated in the signing ceremony of the agreement via video technology. The agreement was signed on the Russian side by Minister of Transport Vitaly Savelyev, and on the Iranian side, Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazarbash.
The step is considered important in the field of completing the “North-South” strategic international transport project, as the western part of the corridor, which connects Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, needs to complete its last link, which is the railway link between Rasht and Astara with a length of 162 km. When this railway line is completed, the link will be completed. between the Russian port of St. Petersburg and the Gulf.
Putin: The project will provide direct freight along the “North-South” transport route
The Russian President referred to the importance of the “North-South” transport corridor, which aims to link Russian ports on the Baltic Sea and Iranian ports overlooking the Gulf and the Indian Ocean.
Putin added that a 162-kilometer railway will be built between Astara and Rasht.
Main: Iran is the easiest and cheapest trade link between East Asia and Europe
At the signing ceremony, the Iranian President stressed that the Russian investment agreement in the railway link between Rasht and Astara is beneficial for all countries in the region, and he said: “Iran, the friendly country of Russia, and all the countries of this path know that Iran is the easiest, cheapest, and best route for commercial transportation in the region and for linking East Asia and Europe.” “.
He added, “The agreement focuses on completing the ‘North-South’ transport corridor.. In the eastern part, we share with Russia and Kazakhstan, and this part has been launched.. In the central part and the Caspian Sea, maritime navigation must be supported.. There is a shortage in the western part between Astara and Rasht, and this agreement It fills this gap… We hope that all countries associated with this road will benefit from the agreement.”
He continued, saying, “We have plans for the railway link between Pakistan and Turkey via Iran, as well as the railway link with Iraq. We are following up on these projects to restore Iran’s role and position in the region and the international economy. The potential of Iran and Russia is enormous, and we hope that by following up on the Russian president, we can complete this project as soon as possible.” Available time”.
This article was originally published by RT.
