Iran seeks to connect its railway to Georgian via Azerbaijan
By Nazrin Gadimova
Development of ties between Iran, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as Iranian railway's connection with Georgian via Azerbaijan is in the interests of the whole region.
This was announced by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at a meeting with newly-appointed Georgian ambassador Iosif Chakashvili on April 22, IRNA news agency reported.
Rouhani said Iran is determined to connect its railway to the Georgian through Azerbaijan, adding that access to the Black Sea through the Georgian port of Batumi is especially important for Iran.
Iran is interested in developing relations with its neighbors, especially with Georgia, the president added.
The meeting also discussed the need for application of benefits to expand cooperation in the private sector between the two countries and to increase links between universities.
Earlier, Iranian officials planned that the Gazvin-Rasht-Astara railway will be built by late March, 2014. Route of the railroad is complex and includes 22 tunnels and 15 special bridges.