Tehran, Moscow to Promote Transport Cooperation

June 27, 1998 - 0:0
MOSCOW - The visiting Iranian Minister of Road and Transportation, Mohammad Hojati, and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Frank, discussed avenues for expansion of transport cooperation between the two countries here Tuesday evening in the first round of their talks. Both sides expressed interest of their respected country to upgrade marine transportaion and the shipping line for transport of trucks on the Caspian Sea. The two ministers also emphasized the necessity to expand shipping lines between the Iranian ports of Noshahr, Amir-Abad, Anzali and the Russian ports of Astrakhan, Lagan in Kalmykia, Makhachkala in Daghestan. In this respect, they called for removal of obstacles on both sides.

Hojatai also requested the Russian side to cooperate to minimize customs formalities, facilite granting visa for Iranian truck drivers, adjust price for cargo transportation and establish port preferrential tarrifs. Frank expressed Moscow's willingness to expand transportation cooperation with Tehran specially in the Caspian Sea. Iran's Ambassador to Moscow, Mehdi Safari, and senior Russian transport officials were also present in the meeting which was held on board of a passenger ship on Moscow river.

Earlier four specialized committees of land, air, marine and railroad transport explored Tehran-Moscow transportation cooperation. Establishment of a joint shipping company in the Caspian Sea, continuation of cooperation in upper port in the mouth of Volga river, promotion of shipping line for truck transportation and establishment of wagon transport line were among other issues discussed in the marine transport committee. Problems of Iranian and Russian land transport companies in the other country and establishment of a terminal in Moscow for Iranian trucks were also discussed in the land committee.

The air transport committee prepared a draft for Iran-Russia aviation cooperatoin and establishment of Rasht-Astrakhan air link. The railroad committee explored avenues for reopening of Moscow-Jolfa railway line and electrifying Iran's railroads. (IRNA)