TEHRAN - The heads of the automobile associations of Iran, Georgia, and Armenia have held discussions aimed at simplifying cross-border vehicle travel among their countries.

The virtual meeting, which was held on Sunday,  focused on facilitating the movement of travelers and tourists by utilizing the international customs document known as the “Carnet de Passages en Douane” (CPD), ISNA reported.

The discussions underscored the strategic importance of the North-South International Transport Corridor in boosting economic ties and enhancing tourism in the region. It also explored the technical aspects of this cooperation.

Mohammad-Hossein Soufi, CEO of Iran’s Touring and Automobile Club, highlighted the club’s successful experience in issuing CPDs for Iraqi and Armenian vehicles and expressed readiness to extend this service to Georgian vehicles.

During the meeting, participants commended the Iranian association’s efforts to streamline international vehicle traffic in West Asia and the Caucasus region, the report said.

Among their remarks, the Georgian and Armenian automobile club directors proposed to hold follow-up discussions on the sidelines of the FIA General Assembly’s annual meeting, which is scheduled to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, in December.

Currently, tourists and travelers from Turkey, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Iraq, and Armenia can use the CPD to make travel to Iran more accessible and cost-effective. The initiative is intended to cut down on intermediaries, reduce costs and waiting times at the border, and promote international road travel.

The Touring & Automobile Club is affiliated with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts. Its tasks include facilitating the travel of owners of vehicles abroad or foreign tourists who are traveling to Iran in their own vehicles. The institution also helps develop tourism by establishing tourism information offices at home and abroad, as well as developing infrastructures and tourism services.

The CPD is a crucial international customs document that facilitates the temporary importation of private and commercial vehicles across borders, offering a guarantee for customs duties and taxes.

AM