2 minute read
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The timeframe for implementing joint Russian-Iranian transport projects will be discussed in talks between the Russian delegation and Iran's administration during the visit of Russian Deputy Prime Ministers Vitaly Savelyev and Alexei Overchuk to Tehran on Monday, Interfax reported.
"Iran is our strategic partner, above all else, and we undoubtedly have a lot of joint issues that we are going to discuss: in the sphere of sea transport, in the sphere of motor transport, railway transport, air communication. Therefore, we expect the talks held during this visit to enable each of us, the two sides, to take the next step in our development," Savelyev told reporters.
In particular, Savelyev said it is planned to discuss the start of the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway section under the North-South international transport corridor project.
"We do hope we can find solutions and will continue solving those issues that were signed in 2023 - an agreement, an intergovernmental agreement," he said.
According to earlier reports, Russia and Iran signed an agreement on cooperation to fund the design, construction and supply of goods and services for the creation of the Rasht-Astara railway. The new railway line will connect the Iranian and Azerbaijani railways, and also the railways of other CIS states. It was also reported that Russia will provide an interstate loan of 1.3 billion euros for this construction. The total value of the project was estimated at 1.6 billion euros at the moment the agreement was signed.
"The loan is ready, there are issues that we need to discuss with the Iranian side. The financing has de facto been opened, everything has been agreed upon, the question is when we will begin. We will discuss this," Savelyev said.