Russia and Iran plan rail link to snag share of Suez traffic

© Ruslan Olinchuk

Azerbaijan is cementing its aim to become a major transport hub after offering to pay half the funding needed to extend Iran’s rail network to the Azeri border, to link with Russia. The offer came as the heads of Russia and Iran met to agree strengthened transport links, which would take a share of the cargo currently going through the Suez Canal. Russia would be able to use the new route to export goods to Asia and the Gulf, while it would give Iran a shorter passage for goods going to to northern and eastern Europe. Azerbaijan is also funding the construction of a railway link that will connect central Asia with Europe via Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, reported Bloomberg.