BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Delegations led by Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Co-Chairman of the State Commission on Economic, Trade and Humanitarian Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran on the Azerbaijani side, and Farzaneh Sadegh, Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran, Co-Chairperson of the Commission on the Iranian side, have reviewed the Aghband-Kelaleh highway bridge construction site over the Araz river near Azerbaijan's Zangilan district to connect the country's East Zangezur economic region with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through Iranian territory, the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers told Trend.
During the visit, the Co-Chairs were briefed on the technical parameters of the bridge and the auxiliary road that will connect the bridge to the highway, as well as on the border and customs infrastructure to be built on this section.
Information was also provided about the projects of the new railway bridge under consideration. It was noted that the construction of the Aghband highway bridge and the adjacent auxiliary road is planned to be completed by the end of 2025.
This project, forming an important part of the region's strategic transport infrastructure, will carry out several significant functions.
Upon completion of the construction work, the new road route will:
- ensure the shortest and most efficient transportation connection between the Eastern Zangezur economic region and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic;
- be one of the key components of the East-West transport corridor, covering the China-Central Asia-Azerbaijan-Iran-Türkiye line;
- Expand the functional capabilities of the North-South transport corridor passing through Azerbaijan.
- serve as the most favorable road in terms of both terrain and climate, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea.
The constructed road, with an I technical grade, will facilitate efficient cargo and passenger transportation in the direction of Aghband–Jabrayil–Aghdam–Yevlakh–Georgia. Simultaneously, the Aghband–Lachin–Kalbajar–Ganja–Georgia road route, expected to be completed within approximately a year, will also be added to this network and further contribute to the enhancement of the region’s transport and logistics potential.
The implementation of these projects will create favorable conditions for bilateral and regional transport-transit relations, increase cargo transportation, expand logistics capabilities, and generally create broader communication connections.
The delegation also had the opportunity to visit the rapidly developing, strategically important Horadiz–Aghband railway line under construction in Azerbaijan. This railway line, being one of the main transport routes of the region, will not only diversify various transport communications but also create new opportunities for the efficient organization of international cargo transportation.
The co-chairs later reviewed the project and site feasibility for the second bridge, the Ordubad–Siyahrud highway bridge, which will connect the East Zangezur region with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via Iran. The coordinates and technical parameters of the bridge were discussed, and it was agreed that further discussions in this direction would continue.
The delegation also got familiarized with the ongoing work on the Ordubad-Marazad hydropower plant (HPP) project. It was reported that 60 percent of the total construction of the Ordubad HPP, with a capacity of 36 MW on the Araz river, has been completed, and additional efforts by Iran are needed for the continuation of the work.
The co-chairs also visited the Julfa border crossing point and got acquainted with the current conditions at the site.
The co-chairs expressed confidence that the visit of the President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian to Azerbaijan, at the invitation of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, will open a new chapter in bilateral relations.
They noted that there are good opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in all areas and emphasized that, in line with the President's instructions, joint efforts would continue to complete the existing projects.
The deputy prime minister also informed the Iranian minister and delegation about the territories that were destroyed and plundered by Armenians during the 30-year occupation.
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