Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

There is a need to construct a new automobile bridge to ensure the work of the Aslanduz-Horadiz border checkpoint.

Iranian Ardabil Province's governor Majid Khodabakhsh made the remark at a meeting with Azerbaijani journalists.

"The movement of people through the border checkpoint can only be carried out with the help of a dam in the region but for large vehicles it is necessary to build an additional bridge," Khodabakhs said.

Khodabakhsh noted that both Iran and Azerbaijan are interested in the opening of Aslanduz-Horadiz border checkpoint.

He said Iran's Foreign Ministry has already given its consent to the opening.

Khodabakhsh further informed the journalists of the connection of the Miyaneh-Ardabil-Mugan (Parsabad, Germi and Bilesuvar) railway line with the Azerbaijan's railway line in the future.

He said the implementation of the Miyaneh-Ardabil-Mugan railway project started a few years ago, noting 300 tomans ($ 117 million) investment was made to accomplish the project.

Khodabakhsh added that many bridges and tunnels will have to be built for the construction of the railway from the Miyaneh to Ardabil near Khalkhal city.

He said the construction of the Miyaneh-Ardabil-Mugan railway's part from Ardabil to Parsabad city will begin in the second phase, and will be connected to Azerbaijan's railway.

It should be noted that the Qazvin-Rasht-Astara (Iran)-Astara (Azerbaijan) railway within the North-South international transport corridor is under construction and Iran's railway will be connected to Azerbaijan's railway by this way. This railway project is expected to be completed by early 2015.

Khodabakhsh also said on average about 3000 people visit Ardabil province through the Bilasuvar border checkpoint each day.

He noted that majority of this people visit the province for treatment.

Khodabakhsh invited the Azerbaijanis to visit Ardabil province as a tourist. He also called on Azerbaijani investors to invest in the tourism sector of the country.

He further said currently the relations between Azerbaijan and Iran are at a very good level.

Azerbaijan and Iran have had diplomatic relations since 1918. Iran recognized Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992.

Data from the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan shows that trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $281.03 million in 2013, which is 6.13 percent higher than 2012. The figure stood at $263.785 million in 2012.

Iran imported $73.347 million worth of goods from Azerbaijan in 2013, while its exports to Azerbaijan stood at $207.683 million during the same period.

Iran's trade turnover with Azerbaijan in the first eleven months of 2013 stood at $470 million ($448 million exports and $22 million imports), Iran's customs administration's latest report shows.