Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran will discuss the process of cooperation and investment in the construction of Rasht-Astara railroad project during a trilateral meeting which will be held in Baku on September 8-9.
Iran Minister of Transport is heading to Azerbaijan on Wednesday at the head of a delegation for attending the trilateral summit between Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia for discussing the details of cooperation and investment in construction of Rasht-Astara Railroad.
The Rasht-Astara railroad is particularly important for completion of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and very strategic for Iran and regional countries as it is the missing route along the INSTC connecting northern Europe to the Indian Subcontinent. Completion of the INSTC is important for freight transit and trade along the INSTC which is targeted at 10 million tons in 2023.
Previously, the Qazvin-Rasht Railway was put into operation to connect Azerbaijan railways with the Iranian railway network within the corridor. In addition, the 167-km-long Rasht-Astara railway line must be built in Iran.
