WNAM MONITORING; A new transport route connecting the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with other territories of Azerbaijan is expected to greatly contribute to the region’s development, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev said at an official reception in Baku, held on the occasion of Iran’s National.
According to Mustafayev, 2024 saw a 20 percent increase in the volume of cargo traffic between Azerbaijan and Iran, while cargo transit rose by more than 23 percent.
He stated, “The agreements reached at the presidential level in the transport sector serve as our roadmap. In this context, several mutually beneficial projects have been implemented, and our effective cooperation continues on other initiatives.”
“The construction of automobile and railway routes, along with the transport infrastructure of East Zangazur-Nakhchivan through Iranian territory, the establishment of relevant border and customs infrastructure, along with the construction of the Agband-Kalala and the Siyah Rud-Ordubad automobile bridge—providing the shortest route to Nakhchivan—contribute significantly to the development of international transport corridors, particularly the East-West corridor, and enhance the region’s logistics potential,” the deputy added.
Mustafayev emphasized that the promotion of the North-South Transport Corridor, as well as the construction of a new automobile and pedestrian bridge over the Astarachay River, the development of the Astara cargo terminal, and other projects, as well as the expansion of transport links between the countries, are specifically aimed at enhancing the transport and logistics capabilities of the region.
He added, “In addition, Azerbaijan-Iran cooperation on the Khudafarin and Giz Galasi hydro junctions and power plants over the Araz River, as well as the Ordubad hydroelectric power plant, is significant. These infrastructure projects, which hold great importance for both countries, foster development and progress in the region. The project to construct a power transmission line connecting the East Zangazur economic region with Nakhchivan through Iranian territory is also crucial. All these projects promise new perspectives for expanding our cooperation in green energy.”
Mustafayev also expressed his belief that the planned visit of the Iranian President to Azerbaijan will open new opportunities for bilateral relations. “Currently, there is an invitation from the President of Azerbaijan to the President of Iran to visit our country. We are confident that this visit will open a new chapter in the development of relations between the two countries,” he said.
