Lukashenko, Putin discussed North-South transport corridor construction
The presidents of Belarus and Russia, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, had a telephone conversation on the evening of March 17th, discussing prospects of constructing the North–South transport corridor that will pass through Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, BelTA reports
The relevant topic was also raised during Aleksandr Lukashenko’s official visit to Iran on March 12th-13th. Belarus intends to participate jointly with Iran and Russia in the development of the named transport corridor.
"The Iranian side needs to build about 180km of railway. It has already actively started this work to complete the North–South railway corridor in the direction of the port of Bandar Abbas. This is important for us as well, since – when talking about the transportation to Iran – we also mean the transit to the countries of the far arc through Iran. This corridor is very important, and we have agreed to develop it together," Belarus’ Transport and Communications Minister, Aleksei Avramenko, said.
After the negotiations between the presidents of Belarus and Iran, a protocol on amendments to the intergovernmental agreement on international automobile relations as of February 4th, 1998 was signed. "This means that Belarusian and Iranian carriers can freely exercise bilateral transportation," Mr. Avramenko explained.
In addition, on March 17th, a working meeting was held between the Belarusian Railway’s Head Vladimir Morozov and Sergei Almeev who heads the Russian Railways’ branch, Privolzhskaya (Volga) Railway. The parties discussed co-operation in the field of cargo transportation along the North–South international transport corridor. It was noted that the demand for cargo transportation in this direction is annually increasing. The volumes of transported goods are growing – both along the land route of the North–South corridor and using the Caspian Sea port infrastructure. New efficient transport and logistics schemes and transportation conditions are also being worked out. In this regard, the railway and port infrastructure development was discussed, in addition to further prospects for the organisation of transportation of Belarusian export products within the framework of the international North-South transport corridor in the context of the formation by Belarusian cargo owners of new transport and logistics schemes for cargo transportation.
