TEHRAN – Azerbaijani President lham Aliyev has signed a decree allowing the Azerbaijani government to press ahead with the construction of a new road connecting the Republic of Azerbaijan to Iran. 

The new road links the Horadiz-Jabrayil-Zangilan-Aghband highway to Iran, according to Azerbaijani outlet Azer News. 

The decree also included the construction of a bridge over the Aras River on the border with Iran. 

A total of 14 million manat ($8.2 million) will be allocated from the reserve fund of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan provided for in the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2023 to the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads in order to continue work on the construction of the new road and the bridge.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Finance was instructed to provide financing in the amount specified in part 1 of this decree, according to Azer News. 

In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan was instructed to resolve issues arising from this decree.

Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan have intensified their efforts to boost their ties, especially by fostering connectivity between the two sides. To this end, Iranian Transport Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash paid a visit to Baku, where he discussed joint projects to increase trade and connectivity.