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Russia, Azerbaijan vow to accomplish Eurasian connectivity
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Azerbaijan, Russia sign a cooperation agreement for the development of transit cargo transportation via INSTC
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Azerbaijan, Russia sign a cooperation agreement for the development of transit cargo transportation through the “North-South” International Transport Corridor, a network of roads and railways building Eurasian connectivity
Baku: The Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Russian Federation have signed a cooperation agreement for the development of transit cargo transportation through the North-South International Transport Corridor.
According news sources, the main goal of the agreement, which defines the terms of cooperation on the development of railway infrastructure and transit transportation, is to advance the efficiency of transport links and foster the potential of the Western route of the “North-South” International Transport Corridor.
The agreement was signed following the discussions betwwen Rashad Nabiyev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport, who met with Vitaly Saveliev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, and Roman Starovoit, Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation during his visit to Russia.
- Azerbaijan-Russia Cooperation for Development of the “North-South” International Transport Corridor
The meeting featured the development of the “North-South” International Transport Corridor and the implementation of vehicle transportation.
In August 2024, during the 22nd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on economic cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation held in Baku, Azerbaijan-Russia confirmed their mutual readiness to continue working on the implementation of the tasks set by presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia concerning the development of the North-South International Transport Corridor.
In July 2024, two freight trains carrying Kuzbass coal from Russian commenced their continental journey towards Indian port , Mumbai, via the Eastern branch of the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), spanning 7,200 kilometers (4,500 miles), and serves as a multimodal transport network.
Russian Railways termed his transportation project ‘a historic milestone”, as it links St. Petersburg of Russia to the port of Mumbai in India via land and sea routs.
“For the first time, two trains with Kuzbass coal headed to India along the International North-South Transport Corridor. The trains set off from the Kemerovo region. They followed along the eastern branch of the ITC through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas,” Russian Railways stated.
The trains set off from the Kemerovo region in Russia. They followed along the eastern branch of the INSTC through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to reach the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas,” Russian Railways said on Monday in its Telegram channel.
“The coal will be shipped by sea along the final part of the route from port of Bandar Abbas of Iran to the port of Mumbai in Indian”, according to the statement.
INSTC offers an alternative to sea routes, connecting Europe, the Russia, Central Asia, Iran and India, according to a statement by Russia’s national railway company.
INSTC is Russia’s plan to explore new transport routes amid Western sanctions, which have forced Russia to shift trade flows from Europe to Central, Asia, South Asia and the Middle East.
The construction of this Eurasian connectivity project started in the early 2000s, but developing it further has taken on a new impetus in light of the restrictions faced by Moscow.
India has also touted the route as an alternative to Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a flagship connectivity project of China.
Experts believe INSTC would significantly reduce transit times; open up expansive markets across India, Russia, Central Asia, and foster economic opportunities across Asia and Europe.
The connectivity through INSTC would link the energy-rich Eurasian region, and is expected to have a vital impact on the global stage, reflecting shifts in the international power dynamics.
- Pakistan seeks to join the International North-South Transport Corridor
Pakistan, partner of China in building BRI, seeks to join the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a regional economic partner, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Muhammad Khalid Jamali told media.
Pakistan has accepted an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and has started the membership process, Ambassador to Russia Muhammad Khalid Jamali has said while addressing the International IT-Forum in the Russian city of Khanty-Mansiysk.
- Representatives from Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia meet to discuss matters related to international cargo transportation
Earlier in June 2024, representatives from Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia held a trilateral meeting to discuss matters related to international cargo transportation by road.
The meeting brought together officials from the road transport sector, customs services, international road cargo carriers’ associations, and executives of transportation companies from all three sides.
The delegations visited the Astara and Khanoba border checkpoints in Azerbaijan, the Astara checkpoint in Iran, and the Tagirkend checkpoint in Russia. They viewed the process of vehicles crossing the border, customs inspections, and documentation procedures at these checkpoints.
Azerbaijan’s infrastructure has the capacity to accommodate any volume of vehicle traffic under the current conditions. During a subsequent meeting in Derbent, Russia, the parties discussed measures to reduce inspection and waiting time at checkpoints, increase the market share of Azerbaijani, Iranian, and Russian carriers in the international road transport market, and other relevant issues.
The meeting also featured an exchange of views on the potential and prospects of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The corridor, which connects India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe, aims to enhance regional connectivity and reduce transit times. The parties emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation to fully utilize the transit potential of Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia and further develop the INSTC.
