Tehran, March 7 (MRUD NEWS)—Iran deputy transport minister, Shahriyar Afandizadeh, hosted the head of the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Council of Road Workers of the CIS countries, Buri Karimov, today to confer on international transport and transit.  

In the meeting, Afandizadeh announced Iran's readiness to transit one million tons freight from Central Asia and also attracting investments to the southern ports of Iran.

Afandaizadeh, referring to the targeting of 20 million tons transit through Iran, stated that despite the efforts made, facilitation of transit with the countries of Central Asia had not been as much as intended during last 11 years, and it is necessary to carry out comprehensive coordination.

Additionally, Buri Karimov proposed the initiative of "international rally" with the aim of strengthening commercial, cultural and literary relations, and called development of relations with the Central Asian countries as highly important.

The proposed initiative will start on March 27, by holding scientific and administrative conferences in the capital cities of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Armenia and visiting transport routes and pilgrimage sites along the route.

The speeches of the delegations of each country and the exchange of views, experiences and knowledge are among the main focus of the 'international rally', which will be achieved by participation of representatives from private sector and organizations.

Moreover, the two sides discussed increasing traffic between Iran and Turkmenistan, appointing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the focal point for coordinating the rally, investment in the southern ports of Iran, and readiness for transit of up to 1 million tons of freight from the Central Asia.

Previously, the two sides had met on August 2022 in Tehran where they exchanged views on the potentials and capabilities in transport and transit. Back then, Afandizadeh expressed Iran's willingness to provide the CIS countries with access to the high seas through the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.