Tehran, October 23 (MRUD NEWS)—Iran Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mehrdad Bazrpash, met with Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of Armenia, Gnel Sanosyan, in order to discuss agendas for promotion of bilateral transport relations.
In the meeting, Iran proposed to host a trilateral meeting between Iran, Armenia, and Georgia in order to facilitate transit along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
Moreover, Iran welcomed the proposal to build a second bridge over the Aras River at the Nordouz Border to increase transit between Iran and Armenia.
Pointing to the importance of peace and stability for the region, Bazrpash said that facilitation of transit along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and promotion of multimodal transport is important for both countries, and the Caucasus countries also agree to strengthen this Corridor, Bazrpash added.
Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development further explained that a comprehensive roadmap for transport can help advance this agenda to fulfill the region's strategic ambition for transit.
Bazerpash said: "the Republic of Armenia has a unique opportunity in the INSTC, and there is a good route from Yerevan to the North, but the route to the South should be developed as soon as possible by the construction and improvement of 60 km of road from Iran's border to Armenia".
Pointing to the potential of Iranian engineering companies, Bazarpash said they can participate in building bridges, tunnels and other infrastructures in Armenia including construction of schools and power plants.
Sanosyan also welcomed participation of Iranian companies and removal of road tariffs for easier transit of trucks.
Currently, 300 trucks are transiting between Iran and Armenia daily that can be increased by 900 trucks per day, he emphasized.
Sanosyan also welcomed the trilateral meeting between the Iran, Armenia and Georgia and said he will meet with the Georgian minister in the next three days and will raise the issue.
In this meeting, the Armenian minister considered the Armenia-Iran-India transit route as important.