Iran Press/ Iran news: Jabar Ali Zakeri met with Asaubayev, Secretary General of the Intergovernmental Commission for the Europe-Caucasus-Asia Transport Corridor (TRACECA). Zakeri highlighted Iran's freight transit capacity along its rail and road routes, stating that Iran Railways currently has strong transport connections with a significant number of TRACECA member countries and hopes to strengthen these ties with the remaining 13 countries over time.
He noted that this year, rail routes in the North-South and East-West corridors have become more active compared to last year. However, he pointed out that parts of the rail network in these corridors are incomplete, and necessary measures are being taken to address these issues.
Zakeri mentioned that Iran has eight ports registered with TRACECA, with four currently connected to the rail network, and construction of rail links is underway at two other ports. He predicted that the rail line to Chabahar Port would be operational by next year.
He announced Iran Railways' openness to transportation cooperation with TRACECA member states and expressed readiness to resolve any existing challenges through joint meetings. Zakeri also mentioned the launch of container trains from Iran to China, welcoming TRACECA's support and the activation of the southern corridor, with hopes for increased rail traffic among member countries.
The Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development added that Iran Railways is keen on operating freight trains along the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran route to Turkey and then to Europe. He highlighted the activation of the Afghanistan-Iran-Turkey freight train this year, suggesting that Iran's corridors could facilitate freight movement from Kazakhstan to Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
In this context, Asaubayev acknowledged TRACECA members' interest in utilizing Iran's corridor capacities, stating that these capabilities enable member countries to increase trade from Central Asia to Turkey through Iran. He emphasized that Iran, with its suitable rail infrastructure, serves as a connecting link between other countries, and enhancing Iran's rail infrastructure would help landlocked countries boost their transit cargo volumes.
Asaubayev noted that Iran will assume the presidency of TRACECA in 2025 and emphasized that they are preparing a roadmap to ensure the implementation of programs when Iran takes over the organization's leadership. He also called for a study to identify Iran's railway capacity, suggesting that strengths and weaknesses in Iran's rail transport be assessed to design a structured plan similar to the middle corridor for better planning.
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