Minister: Iran Plans to Position Itself as Central Bridge for China–Europe Rail Corridor
Iran’s Transportation Minister Farzaneh Sadegh said progress on the strategic Marand–Cheshmeh-Soraya railway is accelerating, paving the way for a continuous China–Europe rail route that would place the Islamic Republic at the heart of a major new transit corridor.
Speaking on Tuesday at the China Railway Express Cooperation Forum in Xi'an in China, Sadegh stated that Iran plans a major railway in its Northwest to close the gap in a second rail corridor between China and Europe.She noted that Iran is determined to complete the rail link between Marand, in its East Azerbaijan province, to Cheshmeh Sorayya, on the border with Turkey.
This is the first time that Iranian officials are highlighting the importance of the Marand- Cheshmeh Sorayya railway project.Authorities, who stated last year they were finalizing funding for the 200-kilometer line, estimate it could cost up to $1.6 billion.The project aims to create a more direct alternative to Iran's existing rail link to Turkey, which currently runs from Tabriz through Marand to Van.Iran has made heavy investments in its transport infrastructure in recent years to secure a larger share of regional cargo transit revenues.
Iran has a fixed policy to expand its East-West transit infrastructure to align with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a multi-trillion-dollar project seeking to improve transportation infrastructures linking China to Europe, Asia, and Africa, the minister added.“This project will transform the Silk Road's Southern wing into a full rail corridor, ensuring a continuous network from China to Europe for the fast, low-cost transport of cargo with minimal stops,” she continued.
13:41 - 28 آبان 1404
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