At the end of December 2024, Russian Deputy Prime Ministers Vitaly Savelyev and Alexei Overchuk visited the Islamic Republic of Iran, where they met with President Masoud Pezeshkian, First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, and Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh. On December 23, during a meeting in Tehran with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Savelyev, Pezeshkian affirmed that Iran is determined to fulfill its agreement with Russia for the construction of the Rasht-Astara railroad, a crucial part of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
Commenting on the railroad, the Tehran Times stated: "The Rasht-Astara railroad is poised to significantly boost cargo transport between Iran and Russia... Iran anticipates the railroad will carry one million passengers and 10 million tons of goods in its first year. Savelyev also extended an invitation for President Pezeshkian to visit Russia for further discussions in early 2025."[1]
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister for Transport Vitaly Savelyev to discuss the implementation of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project. (Source: President.ir)
Vitaly Savelyev and Alexei Overchuk on a working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The meeting with Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran Farzaneh Sadegh (Source: Government.ru)
Following is the report of the meeting:[2]
"Particular Emphasis [Was] Placed On The Potential Implementation Of The Intergovernmental Agreement On The Project For Construction Of The Rasht-Astara Railway Route In Iran"
"Russian Deputy Prime Ministers Vitaly Savelyev and Alexei Overchuk undertook a working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran, where they met with President Masoud Pezeshkian, First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, and Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh.
"The parties discussed cooperation in trade, economic, and transport sectors, with particular emphasis placed on the potential implementation of the intergovernmental agreement on the project for construction of the Rasht-Astara railway route in Iran, aimed at enhancing transportation along the International North-South Transport Corridor.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister for Transport Vitaly Savelyev to discuss the implementation of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project. (Source: President.ir)
(Source: President.ir)
Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref met with visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister for Transport Vitaly Savelyev. (Source: ISNA)
Iran's Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref had a meeting with the Russian Minister of Transport Vitaly Savelyev and Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk at the Presidential Administration of Iran. (Source: ISNA)
"The Initiative Is Intended To Advance Transportation Along The International North–South Transport Corridor"
"'Iran is Russia's strategic ally. The Russian Government is committed to further fortifying the amicable and cooperative relations between the two countries, and deems it vital to expedite the realization of the intergovernmental agreement on the Rasht-Astara railway construction project in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The initiative is intended to advance transportation along the International North–South Transport Corridor. The objective of today's visit was to examine the current status of the implementation of this international project, including pressing administrative and legal matters that have to be resolved in order to hasten collaborative efforts in its execution. We have reached several significant strategic resolutions and anticipate embarking on their implementation in the near future,' Vitaly Savelyev noted.
"Participants from both sides praised the outcomes of collaborative efforts in advancing Iran's trade and economic relations with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
"'We addressed issues concerning the integration of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Eurasian Economic Union. We were apprised of the ratification of the free trade agreement, which was signed last December, by the parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Additionally, we were informed about the pending technical procedures that will require some time. We discussed Iran's participation in the EAEU as an observer as well as the benefits that Iran will derive from this role, and also considered a range of bilateral issues of mutual interest,' Alexei Overchuk said."
