Power Players Unite: Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia Forge Alliances at Baku Trilateral Meeting

The recent trilateral meeting involving Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia showcased a commitment to enhancing cooperation in key areas such as transport, energy, and economic development. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen ties and promote mutual benefits among the three nations.

The session was co-chaired by Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, and Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh. Senior officials from relevant agencies of all three countries also participated in this significant event.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Mustafayev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s dedication to the principles of good neighborliness, mutual understanding, and equal partnership in its relations with both Iran and Russia. He expressed optimism that the multifaceted cooperation among the three nations would continue to thrive, expanding both bilaterally and trilaterally.

The trilateral cooperation framework, initiated by President Ilham Aliyev, has previously seen summits held in Baku and Tehran. These discussions have underscored the importance of enhancing trade, economic, transport, and energy ties among the countries involved. The following points highlight the key aspects of the meeting:

• Promoting economic and trade cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit.
• Significant agreements established by the August 8, 2016 Declaration and the November 1, 2017 Joint Statement.
• Focus on developing safe and reliable regional and international transport corridors.
• Strategic importance of cooperation in transport, energy, and customs sectors.

Mustafayev emphasized the critical role of advancing the North-South Transport Corridor. He noted that crucial agreements have been signed between Iran and Russia for the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway in Iran, as well as agreements between Azerbaijan and Russia to enhance transit cargo transport along the corridor.

Notably, after modernizing railway infrastructure, Azerbaijan anticipates that the annual cargo volume transported will reach at least 5 million tons starting January 1, 2028, with plans to boost this figure to around 15 million tons through further agreements. Additionally, Mustafayev highlighted the upcoming inauguration of the Astaraçay automobile bridge and border checkpoint between Azerbaijan and Iran in December 2023, along with the nearing completion of the South Cargo Terminal owned by Azerbaijan Railways in Iran’s Astara city. Both of these infrastructure projects are vital components of the North-South route.

The Deputy Prime Minister also pointed out that Azerbaijan’s recent military victory in the Patriotic War and the liberation of its occupied territories have created new geopolitical realities and transport-logistics opportunities in the region. Within this context, he highlighted the ongoing construction of the Aghband–Kelaleh bridge over the Araz River, a crucial element of the Araz Corridor, under the Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding signed between Azerbaijan and Iran in 2022. The completion of this bridge is expected by the end of this year, along with the establishment of border and customs facilities in early next year.

Furthermore, plans for the Horadiz–Aghband highway and railway are slated for finalization next year, creating a new branch that connects both East-West and North-South international transport corridors, thereby linking the Persian Gulf with the Black Sea.

Touching on the Middle Corridor, Mustafayev reported that cargo transportation via this route has surged by nearly 90% since 2022, significantly reducing transit times.

In terms of energy cooperation, Mustafayev noted that Azerbaijan’s power grid is already connected to those of Russia and Iran, facilitating electricity exchange and trade. He added that the integration of the three networks into a unified trilateral framework remains a priority on the energy cooperation agenda.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the successful implementation of transport initiatives requires simultaneous infrastructure improvements at customs checkpoints, with a focus on simplifying and digitalizing customs operations.

Looking ahead, Mustafayev announced that on October 14, delegations from Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia will jointly inspect key infrastructure facilities of the North-South International Transport Corridor. This collaborative inspection is aimed at further enhancing the operational efficiency of the corridor.

Following the remarks from Deputy Prime Minister Aleksei Overchuk of Russia and Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh, the participants engaged in detailed discussions addressing current issues in transport, energy, and customs cooperation.

The synergy among Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia represents a promising future for regional collaboration, with significant implications for trade and energy security.