President Putin: Russia, Azerbaijan interested in construction of Rasht-Astara section

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia is engaged in establishing relations in the Transcaucasus, developing infrastructure, resolving infrastructure issues in the South Caucasus - this is Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia.

“A lot can be done in this direction, in Iran,” President Putin told reporters in Tehran, Caliber.Az reports with reference to the Russian presidential website.

He noted that the first experimental, test train has already run along the North-South International Transport Route.

“There is one specific section Rasht-Astara. This is a small area in Iranian territory, 146 kilometres. Azerbaijan is interested in the construction of this section. We have recently met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev within the Caspian Summit, and discussed this issue,” the Russian leader added.

“Iran is interested in this issue, and our Iranian partners have confirmed this. Russia is also interested in this issue because we will have direct access to the Persian Gulf from St. Petersburg, northern Russia,” President Putin said.

“This is a very interesting and promising route. The issue is to build a section, I reiterate, only 146 kilometres. The Russian side is ready to do it,” he said.

“We should agree on the terms of this construction. We have talked to our Iranian partners and friends. I reiterate that we have clarified this issue with Azerbaijan. I hope that we will simply start concrete work,” President Putin noted.