Iran and Turkey have agreed to construct a new 200-kilometre rail link to serve as a strategic gateway between Asia and Europe, with completion expected in three to four years.
TEHRAN: Iran and Turkey have agreed to begin constructing a new joint rail link to serve as a strategic gateway between Asia and Europe.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the agreement on Sunday following discussions with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan.
The planned Marand–Cheshmeh Soraya railway will cover approximately 200 kilometres towards Turkey’s Aralik border region.
Iranian authorities estimate the project will cost roughly $1.6 billion and take three to four years to complete.
Iranian Transport Minister Farzaneh Sadegh said earlier this month the rail line would transform the southern Silk Road into an “all-rail corridor ensuring the continuity of the network between China and Europe”.
She added it would ensure “fast and cheap transport of all types of cargo with minimal stops”.
At a joint press conference, Araghchi said “emphasis was placed on the need to remove barriers to trade and investment between the two countries”.
“The two countries also stressed the importance of the rail link … in the region and expressed hope that the construction of this line can start as soon as possible,” he added.
The project forms part of Iran’s efforts to expand infrastructure and trade with neighbouring countries amid economic strains from decades of international sanctions.
The ancient Silk Road historically linked East Asia to the Middle East and Europe for centuries.
China’s 2013 Belt and Road Initiative aims to build similar maritime, road and rail infrastructure to boost global trade.
