Tehran, December 9 (MRUD NEWS)—Iran Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mehrdad Bazrpash, who accompanied Iran's President, Ebrahim Raeisi, to Moscow on December 7 upon the invitation of his Russian counterpart, informed of mutual negotiations with Russian transport officials during this visit. 

The agenda included the follow-ups on the latest status of transit agreements, the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Rasht-Astara Railway Project, and issues related to the aviation industry and maritime transport agreements. 

The transport relations between Iran and Russia have been rising. This is evident in the transit records through Iran's territory according to the reports of the President of Russian Railways. As per this report, the records of transit increased by 30 percent and the time of freight transit has decreased from 49 to 20 days from Russia to Bandar Abbas. 

Additionally, it was decided that a joint committee would examine transit nodes along the route for further reducing the time.

Pointing to this growth which indicates the role of Iran in regional corridors, Iran Minister of Roads and Urban Development stated that Iran is a safe country in the region for transit and facilitating freight transit through Iran's territory should be further promoted. 

The visit of the President and the delegation comes after Vladimir Putin's visit to Gulf states including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.