Moscow (IP)- Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development and the Minister of Transport of Russia signed a comprehensive agreement on cooperation between the two countries in various fields in Moscow.

Iran PressEurope: Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Rostam Ghasemi, who headed a delegation to Moscow, concluded a comprehensive agreement on rail cooperation between Iran and Russia at the end of his talks with the Russian Minister of Transport.

During the talks, which were also attended by members of the two countries' delegations, Russian Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev, referring to the expanding relations between the two countries, expressed hope that the signing of the agreement would further expand bilateral cooperation in the field of transport.

"The North-South Rail Corridor could be the basis for expanding cooperation between Russia, Iran and Central Asia and the Caucasus, and the signing of a contract is needed to implement this huge project," he said, noting, "We hope that with the joint cooperation, the Rasht-Astara railway section will be completed."

Vitaly Savelyev noted, "In addition to joint efforts in the construction of this section, we can cooperate in the use and exploitation of it, which is of particular importance along the north-south railway line."

Pointing out that his country views the Islamic Republic of Iran as a trade and transit hub in the region, the Russian Minister of Transport said: "With the completion of the railway lines, especially the Rasht-Astara section, from northern Europe to the Indian subcontinent will be connected, and have huge transit outcomes for the countries along the route, including Iran and Russia."

The Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran for his part said: "Iran is interested in developing and expanding cooperation with its neighbors. Iran shares borders with 15 countries, and in the meantime, Russia is important to us as an important neighbor with historical relations."

"If Iran and Russia work closely together, US and Western sanctions against the two countries will have no effect," Ghasemi said, noting,"Every business needs to develop the field of transportation, and it is possible that any agreement between the two countries in the field of transportation will be signed."

The Minister of Roads said: "Exports between the two countries and Russia's exports to other countries through Iran can be agreed upon and implemented in the shortest possible time. Among the railway routes, the Rasht-Astara railway route is very short and economical, and if the two countries cooperate in completing this section, the volume of exchanges and transit of goods between the two countries will increase significantly." 

In the end, he stated: "We can increase our cooperation both in Chabahar and Shahid Rajaei port."

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