Azernews.Az

By Nigar Abbasova

The trilateral format of cooperation between Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran to implement the highly ambitious North-South Corridor project demonstrates very good perspectives for expansion.

Novruz Mammadov, deputy head of Azerbaijani presidential administration, believes that the views on the expansion of the trilateral format of the Azerbaijan-Russia-Iran cooperation expressed in Baku to implement the North-South project, is an evidence of great importance and attractiveness of the project.

"Indeed, there are many countries willing to join this format of cooperation," Mammadov wrote in his Facebook page.

The countries earlier signed a joint declaration to affirm their intent to develop deep and comprehensive cooperation in various areas, including the implementation of the North-South Transport Corridor transnational project, which bears strategic importance and possesses high economic viability.

The launch of a new promising format is deemed to open a new chapter in the history of relationships between the countries, strengthening the ties on an equal and mutually beneficial basis.

First Vice President of Russian Railways Alexander Misharin earlier said that it is necessary to attract India to the discussions regarding optimal conditions for delivery of goods and development of the project, mentioning that all participants of the North-South corridor project are making significant efforts to create the necessary conditions to attract cargo to this route.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said that the next trilateral meeting of Iranian, Azerbaijani and Russian presidents is likely to take place in Tehran in 2017, mentioning that the format may be changed involving the leaders of several countries.

The North-South transportation corridor is meant to connect Northern Europe to South-East Asia.

Creating good conditions for more efficient and swift shipment of cargo between the Persian Gulf and Europe the corridor offers great opportunities for all participants, including sending, transit and receiving countries.

The project promises greater economic benefits through improved connectivity, compared with other international transport routes. Major advantage compared to other transport routes, most notably the Suez Canal, is that it will reduce the transportation distance at least by half, thereby cutting the transit time and cost.

The role of Baku in the implementation of the project cannot be overestimated, as Azerbaijan is the only country in the world to have borders with Iran and Russia. The project is expected to serve as a link connecting the railways of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia.

At the initial stage, the North-South corridor will transport 5 million tons of cargo per year with further expansion in the volumes of transportation up to 10 million tons.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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