BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 31. Iran has made an offer Turkmenistan to invest in its ports in the Persian Gulf, Iranian Ministry of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash said at the meeting with Mammetkhan Chakiyev, the General Director of the Transport and Communications Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, in Tehran on May 30, Trend reports.
Bazrpash noted that Iran is paying attention to Turkmenistan's focus on the southern ports of Iran, which is located on the eastern route of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Iran is ready to receive Turkmen investors.
The INSTC has 3 routes on Iran's territory. The eastern route is Turkmenistan and Central Asian countries, the middle route is Russia and other countries via the Caspian Sea, and the western route is Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia and Eastern European countries.
“The two countries have a long water border. Simplifying the docking of Iranian commercial ships to Turkmenbashi port, strengthening maritime search and rescue operations for ships sailing under the Iranian flag, if necessary, and raising the level of services can stimulate the strengthening of relations between the two countries,” he added.
The minister also said that currently, 600 wagons cross between Iran and Turkmenistan through the borders of Sarakhs and Incheh borun every day. Considering the potential of these borders, it is necessary to increase the number of wagons.
Reportedly, Iran is discussing with Turkmenistan the addition of 500 wagons in order to increase freight traffic by railways.
The foundation of the ‘International North-South Transport Corridor’ was laid on the basis of an intergovernmental agreement signed between Russia, Iran, and India on September 12, 2000. In total, 13 countries have ratified the agreement, including Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Russia, Türkiye, etc.
The purpose of creating a corridor is to reduce the delivery time of cargo from India to Russia, as well as to North and West Europe. Delivery time on the current route is more than 6 weeks, it is expected to be reduced to 3 weeks via North-South Transport Corridor.
Iran's 175 km-long Qazvin-Rasht railway was officially put into operation on March 6, 2019, to connect Azerbaijani railways with the Iranian railway network within the corridor. In addition, the 167 km long Rasht-Astara railway line will be built in Iran.
---
Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur