MNA– Iran's Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development said opening a new trade route into Europe other than Turkey can boost economic activities via road transportation.

Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development Davoud Keshavarzian made the remark in a meeting with Belarusian envoy on Wednesday, while voicing Iran's keen interest in developing transit cooperation and business and commercial relations with Belarus.

"At the moment, Iran holds extensive transactions and communication with European countries mostly carried out through Turkey. We are interested to open another pathway to Europe alongside Turkey, which will lead to further economic and commercial activities via the transportation infrastructures of Iran and Belarus.”

Pointing to the efforts made to enhance the transit relations between the two countries, Keshavarzian added that the respective authorities of the two countries have agreed to review the number of bilateral traffic and transit licenses and the issue is currently on the organization’s agenda.

Belarusian ambassador, for his part, expressed interest in expanding relations with the Islamic Republic, adding “there are favorable conditions and capacities to increase road transport and transit between the two countries.”

He also voiced hope that serious steps be taken to promote trade transactions between the two sides.