North-South Corridor to see major upgrades, says Russian Deputy PM

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak outlined significant advancements in the "North-South" international transport corridor project, a major infrastructure initiative jointly pursued by Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran, Azernews reports citing the TASS.

In an interview with TASS, Novak detailed upcoming enhancements designed to boost the corridor's efficiency and effectiveness.

“The capacity of the railway will be significantly increased, and new transport and logistics routes will be developed,” Novak stated. “These improvements will strengthen our collaboration with southern partners and enhance the overall connectivity of the corridor.”

Novak highlighted a key development within the project: an agreement with Iranian counterparts to complete the missing segment of the 162 km railway between the cities of Astara and Rasht. “This is a monumental project that will create a seamless transport link stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Persian Gulf,” he explained.

The "North-South" international transport corridor project, which aims to establish a major trade route connecting northern Europe with southern Asia, was initially agreed upon by the governments of Russia, Iran, and India on September 12, 2000. Azerbaijan joined the agreement later, on September 20, 2005, under the Law of Azerbaijan Republic on the "North-South" Transport Corridor.