TEHRAN -- Roads and Transportation Minister Ahmad Khorram said here on Wednesday that Iran and Russia have signed an accord to expand cooperation in the transportation sector on the north-south corridor.

Khorram and his Russian counterpart Frank Sergey were signatories to the protocol in Tehran on Wednesday.

Khorram told IRNA that the bill concerning the accord had already been passed by Iranian and Russian parliaments and conclusion of documents is expected to facilitate mutual cooperation in the area.

Given the key role of Iran, India and Russia in the north-south corridor, conclusion of the agreement is expected to link the Asian and European continents, said the Iranian minister.

Khorram said the Caspian Sea, Russia and Europe serve as the shortest link to Europe, thus raising speed of cargo transportation and cutting expenses.

Since majority of the cargos are carried through containers, Iran and Russia reached agreement to form a committee for sea and container transportation.

The Iranian minister expressed hope that Iran and Russia would strive to remove customs restrictions and ease the process of issuing visa as well as balance tariffs and duties.

He proposed the formation of a joint transportation cooperation committee by Iran and Russia to convene regularly on an annual basis.