Iranian Minister in Baku for Joint Commission on Rail Links, INSTC Corridor

Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh Malvajerd left Tehran for Baku on Sunday to co-chair the 17th meeting of the Iran-Azerbaijan Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, with discussions set to focus on completing joint infrastructure projects and boosting transit along the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC). The two-day session, beginning today, will be co-chaired by Sadegh Malvajerd and Azerbaijan's Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, according to a report from the Iranian state news agency, IRNA.

Officials will evaluate the implementation of a memorandum of understanding from the previous meeting and hold talks on several bilateral projects. These include the completion and opening of the Kalaleh-Aqband bridge, the Aras corridor, the expansion of the 107-kilometer Kalaleh-Jolfa road, the construction of the Kalaleh-Siyahrud railway line, and the Khodaafarin and Giz Qalasi dams and power plants.

Discussions will also cover developing trade ties, including plans for a joint working group to finalize a preferential trade agreement. A key focus will be transit and transport cooperation within the INSTC’s framework. The sides are expected to discuss the target of handling 15 million tons of transit annually by 2030 on the corridor's western branch, which connects Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia.

Enhancing cultural activities and expanding cooperation in tourism, particularly health tourism, are also on the agenda. On the final day of the session, the heads of the two commissions are scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding for the 17th joint commission on economic and humanitarian cooperation. During her visit, Sadegh Malvajerd is also scheduled to hold separate meetings with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Deputy Prime Minister Mustafayev, Digital Development and Transport Minister Rashad Nabiyev, and Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov to discuss the development of bilateral relations. - Iran Daily