-MRUDNEWS- Amin Taraffo, Head of the International Affairs Center at the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, highlighted the pivotal importance of the meeting during an interview, stating: “This summit offers a vital platform for Iran to formalize its leadership in regional transit and corridors through codified agreements under ECO frameworks,”
The conference will bring together transport ministers from ECO member states to deliberate on enhancing cooperation within the ECO Corridor Network. According to Taraffo, key objectives include boosting regional collaboration, eliminating logistical bottlenecks, streamlining border processes and advancing the digitization of transport and trade data exchange.
Among the focal points of discussion will be vital transit corridors such as the Almaty-Tehran-Istanbul route, which spans Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan Iran, and Turkiye, bolstering western transit flows. Other critical routes include the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran corridor and the Almaty-Bandar Abbas corridor, both of which are integral to East-West and North-South connectivity.
Dr. Taraffo also stressed that the scope of cooperation extends beyond land transport. “Within the ECO framework, multilateral collaboration in aviation is also a priority, including discussions on flight facilitation, airport development, and transit flight operations. These issues will form part of the meeting’s agenda and subsequent documents,” he added.
Strategic Preparations for Regional Consensus
Preceding the ministerial meeting, a senior officials’ session will convene on June 1st. During this preparatory gathering, top representatives from the transport ministries of ECO member states will address critical issues, including corridor development, process optimization, digitization and aviation cooperation. Finalized agreements and documents will be presented for approval during the ministerial session.
A key component of the discussions will center on the ECO’s Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA), which outlines the foundation for transport cooperation among member states. Taraffo underscored the urgency for all member nations to adopt this framework, stressing that the agenda includes enhancing connectivity through improved infrastructure and the optimization of existing capacities.
Iran’s Vision for Regional Leadership
Reflecting on Iran’s overarching strategy, Mr. Taraffo further pointed to the proactive measures taken under the current administration to solidify national geopolitical and economic position in the region. “These efforts, whether through bilateral, trilateral or multilateral engagements, illustrate Iran’s commitment to fostering mutual and sustainable benefits in regional transit,” he added.
He also noted that the upcoming ECO Transport Ministers’ Meeting is a crucial piece of a broader strategic framework aimed at consolidating Iran’s role as a regional transit hub. “The Ministry of Roads and Urban Development is dedicated to maintaining this initiative, ensuring Iran’s leadership in regional connectivity while advancing the shared interests of ECO member states,” Taraffo concluded.
The Tehran summit is poised to be a milestone in regional transport diplomacy, setting the stage for enhanced economic integration and cooperation across the ECO region.