Tehran, Yerevan seek to boost regional trade through transport links
Iran and Armenia discussed expanding cross-border road transport cooperation as the two neighbors seek to strengthen regional trade and transport connectivity.
The discussions took place during a meeting between Armenia's deputy minister of territorial administration and infrastructure and the head of Iran's Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, where the two sides exchanged views on ways to expand bilateral cooperation in international road transport as part of efforts to advance transport diplomacy and regional trade, according to IRNA.
The meeting, attended by representatives from Iran's Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, and the Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, underscored both sides' commitment to strengthening transit infrastructure and removing existing obstacles.
Reza Akbari, head of Iran's Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, said that following a transport meeting held in Armenia last month and subsequent ministerial-level negotiations, the two sides have prepared a draft comprehensive memorandum of understanding.
"The draft focuses on developing infrastructure, removing obstacles to cross-border traffic, reducing or eliminating road tolls, and increasing the capacity to accommodate transit fleets in the two countries," he said.
Akbari, who also serves as Iran's deputy roads minister, said that, given the strong potential for Iran's trade with neighboring countries, "the establishment of parallel transport corridors in the region and the full activation of the Iran-Armenia-Georgia corridor could significantly increase trade flows and play a decisive role in the regional supply chain."
Armenian Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Kristine Ghalechyan welcomed broader economic and transport cooperation with Iran and said infrastructure projects were making progress.
"Transit infrastructure development is on the right track, and these measures will help reduce problems facing drivers, facilitate the movement of transit fleets and improve border logistics," she said.
Referring to previous technical meetings between senior officials from the two countries, she said another expert-level meeting would be held in the near future to examine proposals included in the draft memorandum of understanding and practical measures for expanding bilateral cooperation, with the outcome of the talks to be communicated through diplomatic channels.