Iran, Turkey, Pakistan promoting railroad ties: Iran Daily

Iran, Turkey and Pakistan agreed to enhance cooperation in railroad sector, said the managing director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways.

Speaking at the end of the 11th meeting of the managing directors of railroads of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Ankara on Friday, Abdol-Ali Saheb-Mohammadi told IRNA that the three nations emphasized on promoting railroad cooperation.

They agreed to increase the number of trains in Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul route, he said.

The participants also called for shortening arrival and departure time of trains along the route and reducing custom tariffs in an effort to encourage private sector for investment, he said.

Saheb-Mohammadi continued that representatives of Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan also emphasized expanding the infrastructures of rail industry of the three nations.

Managing directors of railroads of Iran and Turkey also agreed on launching a new route linking east to west. Based on the agreement, in addition to Lake Van route, it was decided that new route from Pars Abad and Igdir will be connected to Bazargan border in Turkey.

In April, deputy roads and urban development minister said a number of rail construction projects will be implemented in cooperation with Ukrainian investors.

Ahmad Sadeqi, who is also the managing director of Construction & Development of Transportation Infrastructure Company said that experts from Ukrainian companies are expected to visit the projects and hold meetings with the ministry’s officials.

He also said an agreement was signed with Ukrainian companies to develop transportation infrastructures, particularly those of the railroad network.

The official added that completing the projects of Ardebil-Mianeh, Ardebi-Pars Abad and Tabriz-Mianeh railroads are among the initial agreements reached between the two sides.

 

© Iran Daily 2012