ArmInfo.The implementation of the project to operate the port of Chabahar, which is intended to become a transit hub within the framework of the International North-South Transport Corridor , is a fairly promising project being implemented with Indian funding. Alexandr Zaboev, Head of the Center for Integration Studies of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) stated in a conversation with ArmInfo on the sidelines of the Eurasian Development Bank's (EDB) Annual Meeting and Business Forum in Almaty.
He drew attention to the fact that Iran is currently actively completing the construction of a railway to this port, and there is already a road. "Therefore, in the long term, after the completion of the railway construction, there will be an opportunity to increase cargo flows from this port, and the automobile route can already be used now. I think there is potential for using this port for transit, including through Armenia, through the Black Sea region. I believe that this is a medium-term project. It will not yield results here and now, but in the medium term, if we work on it, it is a potentially interesting project that will contribute to increasing the country's transit potential and realizing Armenia's transport and logistics capabilities," Mr Zaboev expressed confidence. When asked to express his attitude to the Armenian government's "Crossroads of Peace" project, which, from the point of view of many experts, could turn the country into a kind of "public thoroughfare", the Bank's expert noted that becoming a "public thoroughfare" for cargo is a good prospect, since it involves transit."
And transit, in essence, is the export of transport services, which contributes to the opening of new jobs and the development of logistics. If the containers will pass, why not pass through the roads and railways of the Republic of Armenia. There are also positive aspects from the point of view of passenger transportation, since Armenia's potential in terms of attracting international tourists is huge, and tourist infrastructure is also involves money that the budget and citizens of the country receive. Therefore, in this vein, I would consider the phrase "public thoroughfare" exclusively in a positive sense, because it will provide both work and money to citizens and the country as a whole," Zaboev summarized.
Iran intends to connect its ports located in the Gulf of Oman (Chabahar port) and the Persian Gulf (Bandar Abbas, Imam Khomeini and Khorramshahr ports) in the south of the country with ports located on the Black and Caspian Seas through the Iranian railway network. Connecting the Gulf to the Black Sea will connect four key sea basins, namely the Gulf of Oman, the Caspian Sea (Iran-Azerbaijan), the Black Sea (Georgia, Bulgaria) and the Mediterranean Sea (Greece). In the South Caucasus, Armenia is the only country that is a member of the EAEU and, therefore, serves as a direct bridge between Iran and the bloc, which clearly underlines the importance of the Persian Gulf-Black Sea international transport and transit corridor for Iran.
Back in March 2021, the Indian Ambassador to Iran stated that the country was going to include Armenia in the North-South transport corridor being established through the Iranian port of Chabahar. In August of the same year, then Acting Foreign Minister Armen Grigoryan said at the Indian Embassy in Armenia, that Yerevan was closely following India's active involvement in the North-South international transport corridor project and India's interest in the development of the Chabahar port, and was ready to participate in the implementation of this program. In May of this year, by decision of the Prime Minister, an interdepartmental working group was established in the Republic of Armenia, which should consider the issues of launching an international multimodal high-speed route and carrying out operator activities in the Iranian port of Chabahar. In June, the head of the Ministry of Economy Vahan Kerobyan said that Armenia could become an operator in the Iranian port of Chabahar. In May 2023, by the decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, an interdepartmental working group was formed to consider the launch of an international multimodal high-speed route and the implementation of operator activities in the Iranian port of Chabahar. In June of the same year, then head of the Ministry of Economy Vahan Kerobyan announced that Armenia could become an operator in the Iranian port of Chabahar.
