Tehran, April 29, 2024 (MRUD NEWS)—Javad Hedayati, the director-general of the Transit and International Transportation Bureau at Iran's Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization (RMTO) met with the ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Tehran, Fariddin Nasriyev. to discuss the facilitation of transit and to reach the solutions for existing obstacles. 

During this meeting, Hedayati pointed out the strategic importance of the territory and history of the two countries in the region and emphasized the necessity of authentic data for effective decision-making. He also highlighted the readiness of Iran's transport sector to develop relations with the Central Asian countries and the important position of Uzbekistan in the region. 

Referring to the strategic location of Iran's southern ports for freight transit from Central Asian countries and access to the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, Hedayati added that "for the commercialization of this route, we are ready to implement a trial run for the fleets of the two countries in standard conditions so that the territory of Iran would be the best possible route to provide access to the fleets of Central Asian countries". 

Pointing to the various bilateral and multilateral negotiations with Uzbekistan to remove existing obstacles and increase transit in each country's territory, Hedayati emphasized RMTO's readiness for bilateral reduction of toll payments and developing necessary facilities.

Nasriyev also emphasized the necessity of developing transit corridors in the region and the importance of using Iran's territory for Uzbekistan, and stated that Uzbekistan's government is determined in the development of cooperation. To review and develop an operational plan, meetings between technical institutions in the two countries and increased communication were proposed. 

Hedayati added that definitely, transport has a special role in the development of commercial relations. 

In the end, he explained the latest status of the access routes of the Uzbekistan fleet to Iran and the associated costs and emphasized the importance of strengthening regional transit based on multilateral advantages.