YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS: The timetable for the implementation of joint Russian-Iranian transport projects will be discussed during the talks between the Russian delegation and the Iranian administration during the visit of Russian Deputy Prime Ministers Vitaly Savelyev and Alexei Overchuk in Tehran on Monday, Interfax reported.
“Iran is, first of all, our strategic partner, and we undoubtedly have many common issues that we will discuss: in the field of maritime transport, automobile transport, railway transport, air communication. “That is why we hope that the discussions held during this visit will allow each of the two sides to take a new step in their development,” Mr. Savelyev told the press.
In particular, Mr. Savelyev noted that it was planned to discuss the launch of the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway section as part of the international north-south transport corridor project. “According to previous reports, Russia and Iran signed a cooperation agreement to finance 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, as well as 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 time of signing the agreement:
“The loan is ready, there are issues we need to discuss with the Iranian side. The financing has de facto been opened, everything has been agreed, the question is when we will start. We will discuss it,” Mr Savelyev said.
