BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 10
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
The improvement of the railway within the North-South Corridor will ensure the common interests of Azerbaijan and Iran, Iranian MP Ahmad Alirezabeighi told Trend.
According to the MP, with the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway in the Gilan Province (northern Iran) will be improved the North-South Corridor.
Alirezabeighi added that the Rasht-Astara railway is currently one of Iran's mega-projects. In this regard, the North-South Corridor should be considered a priority for both countries, he said.
"With the completion of this railway in a short time, Iran will have access to the Russian market through Azerbaijan. In return, Azerbaijan will have access to the Persian Gulf via this railway," he said.
The MP noted that the economy accounts for basis of Iranian-Azerbaijani relations. The necessary steps in the interest of both countries must be taken that peoples of Azerbaijan and Iran see the benefits of these relations.
"It is gratifying that the political relations between Azerbaijan and Iran have resulted in the strengthening of economic foundations in recent years," he said.
Alirezabeighi stressed that Iran's exports to Azerbaijan increased in the last Iranian year (from March, 21 2019 to March 20, 2020) compared to the preceding Iranian year (from March 21, 2018 to March 21, 2019) with the development of economic relations.
In addition, the establishment of a border terminal between Iran’s Parsabad County in Ardabil Province (northwestern Iran) and Azerbaijan’s Imishli District can increase Iran's exports to Azerbaijan and other countries through Azerbaijan, according to the MP.
"Both countries have a number of opportunities, and if they share them to each other, both countries will be able to take advantage of these opportunities," he said.
Alirezabeighi also emphasized that relations based on historical and cultural partnerships and mutual interests will not be influenced by any third country and will developed.
According to the statistics of Islamic Republic of Iranian Customs Administration (IRICA), Iran exported goods worth $429 million to Azerbaijan during the last Iranian year (from March 21, 2019 to March 20, 2020).
Iran exported goods worth $411 million to Azerbaijan in the preceding Iranian year (from March 21, 2018 to March 21, 2019).