Iran Interested in Expanding Road and Railway Communication with Armenia

The Acting Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, Suren Papikyan, today received a delegation headed by Mohammad Eslami, the Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development, who arrived in Armenia on a working visit. The discussion revolved around the possibilities for expanding cooperation in the road transport sector between the two countries, and they addressed issues related to the construction of intergovernmental highways extending along the Armenia-Iran border, activating transit transportation between Armenia and Iran, and streamlining procedures in the freight transportation process.

Welcoming the guest, Suren Papikyan expressed confidence that the visit of the head of the partner agency would provide a new impetus for the further development of Armenian-Iranian transport communication. Papikyan presented the Armenian government's priorities aimed at improving road and transport infrastructure, emphasizing the significant importance of constructing the North-South highway and the opportunities it presents for enhancing trade circulation between the ports of the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, Iranian Minister Mohammad Eslami reaffirmed the Iranian side's readiness to promote mutually beneficial initiatives that enhance economic ties, particularly in implementing the "Persian Gulf-Black Sea" international transport corridor project. Eslami discussed the Iranian side's interest in expanding road and railway communication with Armenia and participating in the construction of the southern segments of the "North-South" road.

In this context, the parties exchanged ideas regarding the expansion of participation of Iranian companies in programs aimed at improving infrastructure in Armenia. Suren Papikyan provided details to his counterpart about the design and construction commencement of the Sisian-Kajaran and Kajaran-Agarak segments of the North-South road. Emphasizing the importance of high construction quality standards, the minister stated that the involvement of state funds would create good prerequisites for the presence of foreign, including Iranian, construction companies.

The meeting also addressed issues related to simplifying and regulating procedures in the transit freight transportation process. The Iranian side was informed that the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia has initiated a package of legislative changes aimed at revising the tariff rates and calculation standards for transit freight transportation fees charged for Iranian goods passing through Armenian territory. As a result of the changes, these rates for Iranian carriers will decrease several times.

During the meeting, the interlocutors also discussed other issues arising from the inter-agency cooperation agenda and addressed the joint activities conducted within the framework of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission.