Mousavi: Bridge built by Azerbaijan and Iran occupies important place in North-South corridor

"Azerbaijan and Iran have signed a protocol on constructing a new bridge over the Astarachay River on the border between the two countries. The agreement on the construction of a new bridge is being implemented," Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Seyed Abbas Mousavi told Report.

According to him, the bridge over the Astarachay will be built jointly and will cost 4.7 million euros:

"A protocol was signed during the Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami's visit to Azerbaijan. According to the agreement between the parties, the bridge must be built within a year. This bridge is the most crucial point in the North-South transport corridor connecting the road infrastructure of Iran and Azerbaijan. At present, there is an iron bridge over the Astarachay. The bridge was built during World War II. This bridge is not enough for cargo exchange and transit between the two countries. The trade turnover between Iran and Azerbaijan is growing. Azerbaijan and Iran play a significant role in the North-South transport corridor. In this regard, there is a need to build a new bridge."

He said the main goal is to better use several transport infrastructure types between the two countries, including rail, road, and sea transport.

"Before the presidential elections in Iran, we wanted to sum up the economic activity of the President during the presidency of Hassan Rouhani and come to a final conclusion on what results to achieve. In this regard, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev left for Tehran. Several official meetings were held in Tehran. Later, three Iranian ministers visited Azerbaijan," the ambassador reminded.

In January-May this year, the trade turnover between Iran and Azerbaijan increased by 27% compared to the same period last year and amounted to $ 164,429,000. In trade turnover, Azerbaijan's exports decreased by 35.4% to $ 8,404,000, while imports from Iran to Azerbaijan increased by 34% compared to the same period last year and accounted for $ 155,891,000.