Russia and Azerbaijan have prepared an agreement to develop transit cargo transportation along the western route of the International North–South Transport Corridor.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin instructed the Ministry of Transport to sign the document on behalf of the Russian government.

The agreement establishes a guaranteed volume of cargo that must be transported annually through the territory of Azerbaijan after the modernization of the railway ininfrastructure. At least five million tons are expected to be transited starting from January 1, 2028 and at least 15 million after the relevant decision is made by the parties.

A separate clause of the agreement regulates issues of compensation between Russian Railways OJSC and Azerbaijan Railways CJSC if one of the parties fails to fulfill its transit obligations.