Azerbaijan and Iran Strengthen Cooperation on International North-South Transport Corridor

Azerbaijan and Iran, key partners in the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), recently met in Tehran to discuss the next steps for enhancing the corridor. The discussions focused on improving the crucial border hub at Astara.

Representatives of Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) and Iranian Railways discussed the expansion of the Astara freight terminal located on the Iranian side of the border, as well as the work being carried out there, The Caspian Post reports citing RailFreight.

The two parties “noted that the Astara terminals in both Azerbaijan and Iran allow for faster and more effective implementation of the increasing cargo handling volumes along the North - South corridor, the realisation of the strategic potential of the corridor, as well as the strengthening of the transport infrastructure of Azerbaijan and Iran and the development of regional trade”, ADY writes.

Strategic cooperation plan

The representatives signed a strategic cooperation plan to streamline their efforts. The document provides for the approval of a master plan of the Astara terminal. It also affirms the aim to finalise construction work at the terminal by the end of this year.