TEHRAN (FNA)- Supreme Leader's top aide for international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati called for the launch of a transit route between Iran and Russia in a bid to curb transportation costs.The Islamic Republic of Iran is willing to extend and expand transit (of goods) between the Iranian Southern port city of Chabahar and the Russian port city of St. Petersburg, Velayati said on Monday.
He underlined that the main purpose for launching such a transit route would be reduced transportation costs of the countries at a time when governments are paying too much for transiting their goods and products.
Transit is important for Iran because it can stretch from the Indian Ocean to the Central Asia, Russia and the Baltic, the Supreme Leaders aide said.
He noted that some regional countries are producers or importers of gas, oil and electricity, and Iran is ready to help them in transiting their goods to those countries.
Elaborating on the motivations and objectives of Iran for such a project, Velayati said, The advantages that Iran can gain from the transit and swap of gas and power are unique and unrivaled, Velayati said.
India, Pakistan and Afghanistan are also deeply interested in the Iranian port city of Chabahar and the start of South-North transit and transport Corridor as the cheapest way to access overseas markets in the Central Asia, or other countries outside the region through the India Ocean.
Iran is located in the international corridor with the Iranian part of the corridor starting in Chabahar in the South and stretching up to the city of Mashhad.
Iran's Chabahar port, which is located 72 kilometers West of Pakistan's Gwadar port, holds immense strategic and economic significance for India. Chabahar and Gwadar ports are located in a common coast and they are 70 kilometers away from one another.
The North-South Transport Corridor is the ship, rail, and road route for moving cargo from South Asia to Europe through Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Russia.
In December, Afghan Ambassador to Tehran Shaida M Abdali announced that Tehran, Kabul and New Delhi are set to finalize a trilateral agreement on the transit of goods from Chabahar.
By Fars News Agency
The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.
