Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran team up in cargo transportation

A communiqué has been published following yesterday's trilateral meeting in Baku between delegations from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran, focused on developing freight transportation between the countries.

According to the communiqué released today, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran will establish three working groups related to the development of transport links and freight traffic.

The document states that the meeting highlighted the importance of further efforts to develop the region's transit potential.

The parties also noted the significance of accelerating the implementation of projects to develop and diversify transport routes. In this context, the role of synchronized work to expand infrastructure along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) was emphasized.

Furthermore, the participants pointed out the necessity of simplifying border-crossing procedures and digitalizing various operations (transport, border, and customs) along the entire INSTC.

Working Groups

The communiqué also outlines the creation of three working groups:

• Action Plan Group: The document noted the need to increase the volume of cargo shipped along the INSTC to 15 million tons and ensure continuous growth of freight traffic. "An agreement was reached to establish a working group to prepare an Action Plan for implementing the planned measures within three months," the communiqué reads.
• Road Transport Group: The meeting participants agreed to form a special Working Group on Road Transport. It will include representatives from the customs, border, and transport agencies of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.
• Customs Cooperation Group: The parties noted with satisfaction the signing of a regulation on a trilateral working group for customs cooperation. Its task will be to facilitate transit shipments between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.

Resht-Astara Section, Agbend-Kelale Bridge and Power Grids

A part of the communiqué is dedicated to specific infrastructure projects the parties are working on.

"The significance of completing the construction of the Resht-Astara railway line, as well as the corresponding railway terminal, which is a key component of the corridor, for the full realization of the INSTC was noted," the communiqué said.

Attention was also drawn to the great importance of completing the construction of the Agbend-Kelale road bridge over the Araz River, including the construction of border-crossing points, in the context of strengthening ties between the countries.

The participants also deemed it appropriate to continue discussions on the technical details of the project to connect the power grids between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.

Additionally, the sides agreed to conduct a joint inspection of key infrastructure projects within the INSTC today.