ArmInfo. The unrealized potential of the agenda of the Armenian- Iranian economic cooperation can be used by developing trade and economic ties, implementing the agreements reached within the framework of joint programs. Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan stated this at a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri.
According to the press service of the Ministry, in this context, the minister stressed the importance of the work carried out within the framework of the intergovernmental commission, as well as the discussion of the draft agreement on the international transport corridor "Persian Gulf - Black Sea". In turn, the ambassador confirmed the readiness of the Iranian side to effectively implement the Armenian- Iranian programs and projects and come up with mutually beneficial initiatives contributing to the expansion of economic ties.
The interlocutors discussed the agenda of the 17th meeting of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission, the current results of joint programs, as well as issues related to the design and start of construction of the Sisian-Kajaran-Agarak highway section within the North-South project. The possibility of expanding the participation of Iranian companies in construction projects aimed at improving infrastructure in Armenia was also mentioned.
During the meeting, the parties discussed other issues of mutual interest. To recall, the construction of the entire 556-kilometer North-South highway, which will stretch from Bavra to Meghri, is estimated at more than $ 2 billion. The construction of the corridor was originally planned to be completed in 2019, but now the deadline has been postponed for another 7-10 years. Under the North- South program, the Armenian government has calculated preliminary savings of $ 2.5 per hour for each passenger and $ 1 per hour for transporting a ton of cargo. As expected by the Armenian authorities, the program will allow the country in the future to mitigate the consequences of the blockade by Azerbaijan and Turkey, play the role of a transit state in the cargo transportation of the countries of the region, and also join the Black Sea Ring Highway.