BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Iran is ready to mutually abolish the visa regime with Russia, the Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on June 23, Trend reports citing IRNA.
According to Abdollahian, today, the two countries conducted discussions on the mutual abolition of the visa regime.
“Also, the two countries have reached an agreement on railway projects, including the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway line,” he said.
The minister expressed hope that the railway will be built soon, backed by joint investments.
He reminded that Iran's location in the North-South and East-West transit corridors gives the country a special advantage.
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, 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.
"The first transit cargo from Russia to India was transported via the North-South corridor. It was a successful experience, thus potential of the North-South Corridor was also tested. From now on, part of the transit will be carried out via this route,” Abdollahian noted.
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