Baku: The North-South international transport corridor plays a major role in the development of economic and trade relations, said Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Shahin Mustafayev, at a trilateral meeting of government representatives of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran held in Baku, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister Mustafayev highlighted that during the first nine months of this year, cargo transportation along the corridor increased by 8.3% compared to the same period last year. Azerbaijan’s unique geographical position, being the only country with land borders with both Iran and Russia, allows it to play a strategic role in the corridor’s operation and regional transport relations. The joint efforts of the three countries aim to enhance the corridor’s efficiency and transit potential. The Baku Declaration, signed after the trilateral meeting in September 2022, set a target to increase cargo transportation along the corridor to 15 million tons.

Several important bilateral agreements have been signed to further develop the North-South Transport Corridor. In May 2023, Iran and Russia signed an agreement to construct the Rasht-Astara railway in Iran. Additionally, in December 2024, Azerbaijan and Russia signed an agreement to develop transit cargo transportation along the corridor. Under this agreement, following the modernization of the railway infrastructure, Azerbaijan will handle at least 5 million tons of cargo annually starting January 1, 2028, with potential to reach 15 million tons based on future decisions. Furthermore, a new automobile bridge and border crossing point over the Astarachay River on the Azerbaijan-Iran border was inaugurated in December 2023.