Development of ties between Iran, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and linking Iranian and Georgian railways via Azerbaijan correspond to the entire region’s interests, according to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Rouhani made these remarks at a meeting with Georgia’s new ambassador to Iran, Iosif Chakashvili, Iran’s IRNA news agency said on April 22.

Hassan Rouhani stressed that Iran is determined to connect its railway with Georgia’s railway through Azerbaijan. He went on to add that an access to the Black Sea via the Georgian Batumi Port is especially important for Iran.

“Iran is interested in developing relations with its neighbors, especially with Georgia,” Rouhani said.

The meeting also discussed the need to implement preferences to expand cooperation in the private sector between the two countries and increase academic links.

It should be noted that Georgian ambassador presented his credentials to the Iranian president on Tuesday, April 22.

Iranian officials were earlier planning to construct Qazvin-Rasht-Astara railway before March 2014. The railway’s route is complex and includes 22 tunnels and 15 special bridges. About 70 percent of the construction of 15 tunnels has been completed.