Russia, Iran, Iraq to form working group on developing North-South transport corridor

BAGHDAD. Feb 27 (Interfax) - Russia, Iran and Iraq will form a working group for the joint development of the North-South international transport corridor, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev told reporters after a meeting of the Russia-Iraq intergovernmental commission for trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation, which he co-chairs.

"There was a proposal from the [Iraqi] prime minister today to make the corridor jointly with Iran, and with Iraq and with Russia. We support this proposal. Therefore, we'll form a joint working group and will work out this corridor. The North-South corridor, continuation through these two countries," Tsivilev said.

Transport Minister Roman Starovoit said during a visit by a Russian delegation to Tehran last week that Russia and Iran have signed an agreement allowing them to soon start surveys for the Rasht-Astara railway section project in Iran as part of the North-South international transport corridor.