Sadeq said on Sunday that the agreement will be signed next month and will be a major step towards moving the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) forward.
The 162-kilometre strategic transport corridor is expected to facilitate cargo transport between Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan.
The minister said he visited Azerbaijan and Pakistan over the past two weeks, in line with Iran’s active diplomacy to promote exchanges with neighboring countries, especially through the important role of transportation in regional exchanges.
Sadeq said that the recent talks on transport guarantees in Baku, especially on the Rasht-Astara rail project, had far exceeded initial expectations.
He further said that the recent talks in Pakistan were focused on establishing connectivity of Pakistan with Eurasian and Caucasus countries through Iran, connecting China and Iran through Pakistan, and transporting goods from China to Iran and ultimately to Europe through Pakistan.
The minister said that transport infrastructure plays a role in the development of regional relations, emphasizing that “expansion of highway and railway infrastructure can play an effective role in promoting relations between Iran and neighboring countries.”
He said that over the past year, restrictions and tough sanctions have not hindered development projects.
MNA/