Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan Take First Step to Ease Transit
According to the Economic Desk of Webangah News Agency, a trilateral customs working group convened its inaugural meeting on Tuesday, December 9, in Astara, located in the northwestern province of Gilan. Representatives from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Azerbaijan concluded the session by signing a joint memorandum.
The signed document marks the first tangible outcome of trilateral customs cooperation within the framework of the North-South Transport Corridor, paving the way for a significant increase in transit volume and trade among the three nations. The memorandum was signed by Ebrahim Naghdi, Deputy for Legal Affairs and Customs Supervision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration; Alexey Vladimirovich Timofeev, Deputy Head of the Federal Customs Service of Russia; and Fuad Mohammadov, Deputy Head of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Under the agreement, the customs administrations of the three countries will pursue specific operational and facilitative measures to streamline the flow of goods in transit, increase trade volumes, and significantly reduce clearance times and costs at shared borders.
The specialized meeting in Astara, Gilan province, reflects a strong commitment from all parties to address operational challenges and achieve practical results swiftly, fostering seamless trade across the borders of these three neighboring countries. With the implementation of such customs agreements, the North-South Corridor, in which Iran plays a central role, is expected to become more efficient and attractive to international traders. This agreement is anticipated to be the first step in ongoing and expanding customs cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
