Tehran: The 16th meeting of the Azerbaijani-Iranian Intergovernmental Economic Commission will be held soon in Tehran, announced Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadeq. This event marks a significant step in strengthening economic ties and enhancing cooperation in transportation, logistics, and infrastructure development between the two nations.

According to Trend News Agency, Minister Sadeq disclosed these details during her meeting with Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev in Tehran on October 15. The Minister expressed Iran’s ambition to develop a roadmap aiming to increase annual transit with Azerbaijan to 15 million tons. She highlighted the potential for increasing the throughput capacity at various border crossings, including Astara, Bilasuvar, Julfa, and Poldasht, proposing enhancements to accommodate more trucks per day.

Further discussions touched on the necessity of a comprehensive cooperation agreement to boost the transportation process and develop the tr
ansport infrastructure of both countries. Sadeq suggested organizing preparatory meetings and drafting an agreement within the next month, alongside a joint expert meeting on port and maritime cooperation to finalize the agreement’s initial text.

Moreover, Sadeq reiterated Iran’s readiness to host the 16th session of the commission in Tehran promptly, focusing on all aspects of bilateral cooperation. She also mentioned the ongoing construction of the Rasht-Astara railway, a critical part of the North-South International Corridor, emphasizing the importance of Azerbaijan’s involvement in the infrastructure development.