TEHRAN – In a meeting between Minister of Industry, Trade and Energy of Astrakhan Region Ilya Volynsky and Head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) Ali-Akbar Safaei on Tuesday, the Russian official expressed the region’s readiness for expanding ties with Iran.

As the TPO portal reported, underlining the commercial capacity of Astrakhan port, Volynsky said: “Considering the ongoing development program in this port, we welcome any economic and commercial cooperation with Iranian partners.”

In this meeting, the two sides also discussed the development of port and maritime cooperation and regular shipping in the Caspian Sea, the development of transit capacity and the activation of the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC), and the reduction of the water level of the Caspian Sea.

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Photo: Minister of Industry, Trade and Energy of Astrakhan Region Ilya Volynsky (L) and Head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) Ali-Akbar Safaei meet in Tehran on Tuesday.