Trilateral Talks Were Held Advance North-South International Transport Corridor

On the eve of the experts from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran convened to discuss the development of road transport along the North-South international transport corridor, focusing on enhancing logistical efficiency and cooperation among the three nations. Representatives from transport departments, customs authorities, foreign ministries, and carrier associations participated in the meeting, as reported by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.

Key discussions centered on the operational capacities of automobile checkpoints at the Azerbaijani-Iranian and Russian-Azerbaijani borders. Concerns were raised about the disparity in capacity between the Astara checkpoint on the Iranian side and its counterparts on the Russian-Azerbaijani border. Iran announced plans to fully operationalize a new checkpoint by 2026 at Bile-Savar, located 170 km from Astara, designed to accommodate up to 200 cargo vehicles daily.

Agreements were reached to establish a joint working group of experts to focus on harmonizing checkpoint capacities along the North-South corridor, streamline customs clearance procedures, and expand the use of the TIR Convention for transit without intermediaries. Efforts will also aim to ensure equitable conditions for carriers from all participating states, addressing issues such as travel arrangements and fuel purchase across international borders.

Discussions also addressed bilateral cooperation challenges, notably regarding the acceptance of Russian-issued fuel cards at Iranian gas stations, with assurances from Iran on resolving these issues promptly.

The meeting underscores ongoing regional collaboration efforts to optimize transport infrastructure and facilitate smoother cross-border trade within the North-South corridor, positioning the region for enhanced economic connectivity in the years ahead.