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Meeting of work groups of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran fails

Business Materials 26 December 2008 12:45 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 26 / Trend , E.Ismayilov/ A trilateral meeting of work groups of Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran did not take place to discuss business plan and feasibility study, which Russia should submit in St. Petersburg on Dec. 25 and 26 within the framework of North-South railway project, the Azerbaijani State Railway (ASR) said on Dec. 26.

"The meeting did not take place, because Iran did not join negotiations," an official of the ASR said.

He said that reason of Iran's non-joining the process is unknown. They reached agreement to hold a meeting earlie0r.

The North-South transport corridorenvisages establishment of a unified railway transport from Europe through Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran to India and South-East Asia. According to preliminary estimations, the project costs over $400mln. Much of the work account for Iran, who does not possess railway transport till borders with Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan should spend $35-$40mln to this project.

The cost of the part of the railway that accounts for Azerbaijan, has increased insignificantly as it length makes up only 18km (including station tracks). The section of way Astara station (Azerbaijan) makes up 8.5km. It is necessary to build border railway bridge. However, this project will be realized on the parity basis with Iran.

Some 15mln tons of cargo is expected to be carried through this corridor a year with 10mln to 15mln tons a year.

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