Roads and Urban Development Minister Farzaneh Sadegh said Iran’s trade with Azerbaijan increased over the past six months despite the problems and conditions caused by the war in the region, Mehr reports.

According to her, Tehran expects to maintain this dynamics by developing transport infrastructure and eliminating trade barriers. In particular, Iran is advancing the project to expand the Jolfa-Kalaleh motorway, which, according to forecasts, will enable increasing the capacity of transport communication between the two countries.

"Relations between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan are friendly, brotherly and strategic," Sadegh said, speaking on the sidelines of the meeting of the heads of the joint commission for economic cooperation between the two countries.

The parties discussed as well the implementation of previously reached agreements and the status of joint projects in the economic and transport sectors.

In early September, Iran and Azerbaijan announced the completion of the construction of the Aghband-Kalaleh automobile bridge, as well as discussed the completion of work on the Astara cargo terminal.

Sadegh noted that the current relations with Azerbaijan create conditions for further expansion of cooperation, and Iran expects to ensure an increase in trade and transport between the two countries.