Putin announced a new scheme for Russia to enter world markets
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a new scheme for integrating Russia into the world economy. Iran's leader Ebrahim Raisi became his ally in this process, experts comment on the meaning of the May 17 signing of an agreement on the joint construction of a railway in the north of the Asian country. According to political analysts, this project will not only allow the redirection of Russian exports and imports against the backdrop of sanctions, but is also a signal to the West about an even closer rapprochement between Russia and Iran.
Putin and Raisi participated in the ceremony of signing the agreement between the governments
of Russia and Iran via video link. The parties agreed on joint financing of the design and construction of a railway on the Rasht-Astara section in northern Iran. “The agreement launches the implementation of a truly large-scale project to create an international North-South transport corridor. This is a through transport artery that is designed to connect Russian ports in the Baltic and the northern seas with Iranian ports on the coast of the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean,” President Putin stressed.
Союзником в этом процессе будет Иран
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Russia and Iran sign rail deal for corridor intended to rival Suez Canal
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday oversaw, via video-link, the signing of a deal to finance and build an Iranian railway line as part of an embryonic international North–South Transport Corridor.
The Rasht-Astara railway is seen as an important link in the corridor, intended to connect India, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and other countries via railways and sea - a route that Russia says can rival the Suez Canal as a major global trade route.
"The unique North-South transport artery, of which the Rasht-Astara railway will become a part, will help to significantly diversify global traffic flows," Putin said.
He also said the 162 km (100 mile) railway along the Caspian Sea coast would help to connect Russian ports on the Baltic Sea with Iranian ports in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf.
"Without a doubt, this agreement is an important and strategic step in the direction of cooperation between Tehran and Moscow," Raisi said.
Russia and Iran have been pushed to strengthen their political and economic ties by Western economic sanctions on each, which both say are unjustified.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that swept U.S.-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi from power, Iran has been ostracised by the West and its economy crippled by a myriad of sanctions. It holds around a quarter of the Middle East's oil reserves.
The West also imposed other set of restrictions over Iran's nuclear program, while Russia was sanctioned due to its actions in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday oversaw, via video-link, the signing of a deal to finance and build an Iranian railway line as part of an embryonic international North–South Transport Corridor.
www.reuters.com