Iran Press/ Iran News: At the end of his one-day trip to Ardebil province, Rouhani said: "Usually on sensitive and tough days and on the days when some of our malevolent enemies find excuses, the attitude of the people of East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, and Ardebil provinces, is very much appreciated and I especially thank the people of Ardebil province. I maintain that they have always been the guardians of the security of the state and of the country and have maintained their wisdom at all times."
The president pointed to the opening of hundreds of projects in Ardebil province, saying: "The opening of three dams that were very important for supplying drinking water and irrigation of the agricultural lands of the area, as well as two very important plants, were among these vital projects."
Rouhani described the opening of a huge truck manufacturing plant in Ardebil province as admirable and said: "It is very honored that a complex in Ardebil province is able to build a heavy truck with the Iranian brand and name. We unveiled the first truck made by Iranian engineers and workers in the complex."
Elsewhere in the press conference, the president cited a tire factory for heavy vehicles and trucks as another important project, adding: "The first phase of the factory was opened by the late Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani years ago and the second phase was opened today with an annual production capacity of 300,000 tires. It is very valuable and can meet much of the country's needs."
Rouhani pointed to the very broad plans that were opened during the visit in various sectors such as agriculture, power, cultural heritage, communications, and healthcare, saying: "Projects worth more than 5,000 billion tomans were opened and construction work of several projects with over 19,000 billion tomans in value were also launched."
The president noted that Ardebil province has high profile scholars, elders, artists, and historians, saying: "Ardebil is one of the country's historic province. 500 to 600 years ago, the developments in Iran were marked by the men of this province, and so it is important for us to serve this province."
Asked by a reporter about a railway project of Ardebil province, the president said: "This plan is important for the people of Ardebil province and it can boost tourism and economy of the province. 600 billion tomans were allocated for the project and it will be completed in two years."
Asked about the government's plans to expand the province's economic ties with its northern neighbors, the president said: "One of the advantages of this province is that it can have good interaction with neighboring countries, especially the Republic of Azerbaijan."
He referred to the good relations between Tehran and Baku, especially since the beginning of the eleventh government, saying: "The two countries have decided to jointly explore, extract and produce oil in the Caspian Sea. We have had numerous meetings together to reach the decision."
The president mentioned automotive and pharmacy as other areas of cooperation between the two countries and added: "In the field of trade we will develop trade with preferential trade from now on. we have also decided to establish a joint industrial zone on the border of the two countries, which will be a major development for the province both in terms of industry and trade relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan."
He added that the Rasht-Astara railway line will also be jointly built by the two countries. The project requires about $ 1 billion in funding that the two countries will provide together.
The President said: "With the completion of the railway, Iran's railway network from Bandar Abbas port will be connected to the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Black Sea, Russia and Europe. This is very important for us in terms of transit, and it will almost multiply the freight in the region, which will benefit Iran, the Republic of Azerbaijan and other countries."
Hassan Rouhani left Ardebil for Tehran last night.
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