ASTRAKHAN, Russia - Iran's Ambassador to Russia, Mehdi Safari in a meeting with the Governor of the Russian Province of Astrakhan, Anatoly Guzhvin discussed expansion of trade ties between the two countries through the port of Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea. Guzhvin, who heads a union of 10 provinces known as Greater Volga, described inauguration of the Iranian Consulate General in Astrakhan as a major step towards developing Iran-Russia ties.

Safari and Guzhvin also discussed construction of the second phase of the Olya docks located 120 km from Astrakhan, in which Iran has made investments. The governor of Astrakhan hoped the volume of trade between Iran and Russia, through Astrakhan, which was nil six years ago and has now reached one million tons, will in the future exceed four or five million tons.

He also emphasized establishment of Iran-Russia passenger and recreational shipping lines and hoped to use this service to visit Iran. Guzhvin presented two zones which will serve as major centers for the wholesale trading of Iranian goods. To coincide with the visit by the Iranian envoy, the first load of Sri Lankan tea purchased by Russia through Iran was offloaded in Astrakhan port on Friday. So far goods from Asian countries were imported via Finland. The Iranian envoy announced that Iran will try its utmost to provide necessary facilities for the transit of goods between Asia and Russia. The Port of Astrakhan is located on the northern shores of the Caspian Sea and is one of the main commercial routes between Iran and Russia. The province which covers an area of 44,500 sq km and has a population of 1.1 million, is also an important industrial and agricultural center in Russia. (IRNA)