North–South corridor progress highlighted

On 13 October, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev met with Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh.

During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the comprehensive development of relations between Azerbaijan and Iran and discussed current issues on the agenda of mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in the fields of transport and transit, energy, customs, and other sectors.

The meeting also addressed the completion of works on the Agbend-Kelale road bridge over the Aras River and related customs-border infrastructure, as part of the project to enhance transport links between Azerbaijan’s Eastern Zangezur economic region and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

The parties reviewed key issues concerning the development of the North–South International Transport Corridor. It was noted that cargo volumes along the corridor increased by 8.3% in the first nine months of 2025, with 10.4% accounted for by road transport and 2% by rail.

The discussion highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts to expand infrastructure along the corridor and ensure a sustained increase in cargo volumes. In this context, the completion of the Southern Cargo Terminal, a vital component of the corridor, was emphasised.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on the necessary measures to fully operationalise the road bridge over the Astaraçay River.

In addition, both sides stressed the significance of the Azerbaijan-Iran-Russia meeting held in Baku for further expanding trade, economic, transport, and energy ties among the three countries.

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