In accordance with the intergovernmental framework agreement signed within the last visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Iran and an agreement on construction of a railway bridge over Astara River on Azerbaijan-Iran border, foundation of a railway bridge over Astara River was laid on April 20.

The ceremony was attended by co-chairmen of Azerbaijan-Iran State Commission on economic, commercial and humanitarian spheres Azerbaijani minister of economy Shahin Mustafayev and Iranian minister of communication and information technologies Mahmud Vaezi, as well as officials of the two countries` relevant bodies.

Minister of economy Shahin Mustafayev and head of Azerbaijan Railways Javid Gurbanov inspected the works carried out in the 8.3 km-line from Astara railway station to Iranian border.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Mustafayev hailed the rapid development of all-round relations between the two countries, and underlined “Azerbaijani President`s visit to Iran on February 23 and documents signed within the visit are very significant in the development of our relations.”

The Minister noted: “Azerbaijan and Iran cooperate within the North-South international transport corridor. It`s planned to carry out transportations to Russia and Europe and vice-verse via the corridor. It`s forecasted to transport 5 mln tons of cargos for the first stage, 10 mln tons for next stages.

Iranian Minister Mahmud Vaezi said the presidents of Azerbaijan and Iran have always paid attention to development of relations between the two countries, and added that railway bridge over Astara River would play an important role in development of economic and commercial relations between Azerbaijan and Iran.