[caption id="attachment_153469" align="alignright" width="213"] Iran sees launch of Anzali-Baku shipping line as top priority[/caption]

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran is resolved to launch the Anzali-Baku shipping line to boost bilateral ties between the two Caspian nations, a provincial official announced on Saturday.

"Launching Anzali-Baku shipping line is among the priorities of Gilan Ports and Maritime Organization in the new Iranian year (starts March 21, 2015)," Director-General of Gilan Ports and Maritime Organization Seyed Ali Naimi told reporters today.


He further pointed out that "the Republic of Azerbaijan has agreed with launching the shipping line during a visit by Iranian officials to Baku."


Anzali Free Zone is located in the Southern part of Caspian Sea in Northern Iran and includes industrial, trade and commercial, tourism and services sections.


In August, Iranian and Azeri officials in a meeting in Baku signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to broaden their mutual cooperation in trade and joint investment.


The MoU was signed in a meeting between the head of the two countries� joint economic cooperation commissions in the Azeri capital.


Speaking during the meeting, Azeri Economy and Industry Minister Shahin Mustafayev pointed to Iran-Azerbaijan economic ties, and said, �This is a special meeting, attended by the two countries� economic activists, which convenes in pursuant of a recent meeting between the two countries� presidents.�


Iranian Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi, also speaking in the meeting, said that Iran-Azerbaijan Joint Trade Council has been convened in Tehran so that if the Azeri side also sets up (a similar) council in Azerbaijan the grounds will be paved for the establishment of a joint chamber of commerce.


By Fars News Agency