Tehran, February 21, 2024 (MRUD NEWS)—Iran and Armenia will cooperate in construction of an automobile bridge at Norduz-Agarak Border, informed Kheirollah Khademi, Iran Deputy Minister and CEO of the Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructures Company in his meeting with deputy minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia during the 18th Iran, Armenia Joint Economic Commission. 

The development of transport corridors between Iran and Armenia, particularly along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the construction of tunnels and technical structures, and the export of technical and engineering services were among the most important agenda discussed in this meeting. 

The most important agenda was construction of a new automobile bridge at the Norduz-Agarak Border. It was decided that within one month from the date of signing the MoU of the 18th Joint Economic Commission, joint technical, economic and executive working groups will be officially formed to go through the feasibility studies. Then it will be put on the agenda of the relevant Ministries. 

Previously in October 2024, Iran and Armenia signed two contracts for reconstruction of the 32 km Agarak-Kajaran Road in the Syunik Province which is part of the Tranche 4 of Armenia's North-South Road Corridor. These $ 210-million contracts are for reconstruction of the 21 km road section from Agarak to Vardanidzor and the construction of the 11 km road from Vardanidzor to the tunnel exit.

Armenia's North-South Road Corridor reduces the distance from Iran's border to Georgia's border. As part of the Persian Gulf-Black Sea Corridor, it will significantly facilitate access to the Black Sea for Iran and Armenia. The project will provide access to the Black Sea and European countries through the territory of Armenia (Meghri-Kapan-Goris-Yerevan-Ashtarak-Gyumri-Bavra) and Georgia.

To this end, Iran also intends to construct a road from Tabriz to Norduz Border which upon completion will decrease the route and compete with other routes.