TEHRAN: Iran is set to enhance its transit collaboration with Azerbaijan, aiming to increase the annual transit volume to 15 million tons, as revealed by Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, in a recent discussion with Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev.

According to Trend News Agency, the meeting in Tehran highlighted the deepening cooperation between the two nations, focusing on transportation, logistics, and infrastructure projects. Minister Sadegh detailed a proposal for significant increases in daily truck crossings at various border points: 1,000 trucks at the Astara border, 800 at the Bileh Savar border, 700 at the Jolfa border, and 600 at the Poldasht border.

The ministers discussed accelerating the transportation process through a comprehensive cooperation agreement expected to be finalized within the next month. Preliminary meetings are already scheduled, with additional focus on developing port and maritime cooperation.

Furthermore, Iran is ready to
host the 16th meeting of the Joint Economic Commission to further discuss and expand areas of bilateral cooperation. A major project under discussion is the construction of the Rasht-Astara railroad, part of the international North-South corridor, which is seen as a critical development for enhancing transit connections in the region. Azerbaijan’s participation in this project is deemed crucial for its success.