Russian Deputy Transportation Minister Dmitry Zverev has expressed hope that his country will begin construction of Rasht-Astara railroad by the end of 2023.
He made the remarks in a meeting in Moscow with Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali where they discussed the implementation of the project which is regarded as a key part of the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC).
Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali (R) and Russian Deputy Transportation Minister Dmitry Zverev meet in Moscow, Russia, August 11, 2023.
Zverev said that the construction of the project is a top priority of Russia.
He also stressed the significance of the eastern branch of the INSTC corridor which runs through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to southern Iranian ports.
The Iranian ambassador, for his part, underlined the need for accelerating the process of constructing Rasht-Astara railroad.