TEHRAN, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (IRIR) and German companies may launch cargo trains in the near future, Eghtesadonline reported on Sunday.
"Negotiations started two years ago and, at present, we are in talks to sort out regulation-connected issues," Mojgan Kordbacheh, the deputy head of IRIR's International Affairs Department, was quoted as saying.
The first train is expected to be launched next year, he said, adding the rail route will be used to trade goods between Iran and Europe.
Hossein Ashouri, a board member of IRIR, said earlier that Iran is planning to launch multiple rail corridors to Europe.
"The planned corridors include a route from Azerbaijan and Russia, another from Georgia and Black Sea, and a third through Turkey," Ashouri said.
"We have been discussing parallel routes with German companies and the officials of participating states," he added.
German firms DHL, DB Cargo and DB Schenekr are among the companies involved in the negotiations, according to the report.
IRIR held multilateral meetings with these companies and the authorities in Turkey last year to discuss rail corridors using the existing infrastructures.
