INSTC MEETING OPENS IN BAKU
Tehran Times Economic Desk
October 8, 2008
TEHRAN – Railway officials from Iran, Russia, and Azerbaijan held a
meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Tuesday to discuss ways for expediting
the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) plan.
Iran, Russia, India, and Oman signed a memorandum of understanding in
September 2000 for the establishment of the INSTC that is considered
as one of the important trade routes linking Southeast Asian counties
to Russia, Central Asian states, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe,
IRNA reported.
Establishing some eight kilometers of railroad in Azerbaijan mainland
and linking it to Iran’s national railway network will also be
discussed in the meeting.
Based on the plan, some 300 kilometers of railroads will be established
inside Iran.
Iran, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Oman, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan,
Armenia, Syria, Ukraine, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, and Bulgaria constitute
the 14 members of the INSTC plan.
Mohammadreza Keimanesh, the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways deputy