During a meeting with Kazakh Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev in Kazakhstan, Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadeq expressed appreciation for the organization of regional transport events and Astana’s hospitality in hosting them.
Referring to the roadmap for the eastern route of the North-South International Transport Corridor, drawn up with the participation of Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan, she said following up on agreements and removing existing obstacles are among the priorities of bilateral cooperation.
Sadeq proposed activating the eastern branch of the North-South Corridor, increasing transit capacity, connecting Chabahar Port to the railroad network, and developing the China-Kazakhstan-Iran-Europe corridor as measures to expand transit cooperation.
She noted that connecting Chabahar to Zahedan and Sarakhs in Iran would significantly improve access for Afghanistan and countries north of the Caspian Sea, describing the railroad as a new opportunity for transit and logistics in the region.
Sadeq further emphasized the advantages of routes through Iran for Kazakhstan’s access to international markets, saying transport cooperation between the two countries could lay the groundwork for mutual economic benefits.
For his part, Sauranbayev welcomed the constructive proposals put forward by his Iranian counterpart and reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s determination to develop transport ties with Iran. He said the roadmap proposed by Tehran is being finalized.
Emphasizing the development of trade routes and diversification of rail and road transport networks, he called for continued efforts to expand trade exchanges and hold bilateral and multilateral meetings involving regional countries.
He noted that such efforts would help strengthen logistics connectivity along routes linking Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe.