Iran reanimates transport corridor

摘要

Iran and Azerbaijan have agreed to form a working group to prepare for the construction of the Qazvin-Rasht-Astara (QRA) rail line, aimed at linking the two countries' railway networks. Initiated back in 2000, the project appeared to have been shelved, despite its economic attractiveness. However, now that Tehran's international isolation appears to be easing, it wants to develop the North-South transport corridor to link the Baltic States with India via Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran. Iran has also been fostering close contacts with Armenia, which is keen to capitalise on its untapped transit potential. Landlocked Armenia sandwiched between its bitter historical enemies, Turkey and Azerbaijan, has suggested Tehran connects its transport network with Georgia's Black Sea ports using trans-Armenian routes.