MOSCOW, November 15. /TASS/. Russia and Azerbaijan are expected to conclude an agreement on the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway segment by the end of 2023, Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov said.

"We should sign a similar agreement with Azerbaijan by the end of this year. Starting in 2028, this route will be fully operational, with a rise in cargo volume of 15 mln tons per year. These are still ambitious plans, but they are being carried out," Belousov added.

On May 17, Russia and Iran signed an agreement under the North-South project for the collaborative building of a 160-kilometer portion of the Rasht-Astara route between Azerbaijan and Iran, providing through passage to Persian Gulf ports. The project will cost 1.6 bln euro in total and a 1.3 bln-euro interstate loan will be made available for the project’s construction. The deal states that Moscow and Tehran will co-finance the design, construction, and supply of goods and services.