Russia's deputy PM unveils plans for North-South transport corridor

In a recent interview with TASS, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has revealed developments in the global international transport corridor project known as North-South, an ambitious initiative, jointly implemented by Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.

Novak emphasized, "We will expand railway capacities and enhance export transport and logistics routes, which will affect our interaction with southern partner countries."

One of the most significant breakthroughs announced by Novak is the agreement reached with Iranian partners to complete a crucial 162-kilometer railway section between the Iranian cities of Astara and Rasht.

The deputy PM highlighted the project's global significance, stating, "This is a global project that will seamlessly connect a single transport corridor from the Baltic to the Persian Gulf."

The agreement to establish this International Transport Corridor was initially signed in 2000 between Russia, Iran, and India. Today, the project has expanded to include 12 participating countries.

The North-South corridor encompasses three main routes: the western route along the western shore of the Caspian Sea through Azerbaijan, the eastern route along the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, the trans-Caspian route across the Caspian Sea.