Italy, Iran sign high-speed rail deal

Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways Saeed Mohammadzadeh and CEO of Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) Renato Mazzoncini signed the first MoU on the sidelines of the bilateral summit of the heads of the railways of Iran and Italy.

The agreement worthing 1.2 billion euros and aims at building a high-speed rail line between Iranian cities of Arak and Qom.

The second MoU was signed between Iran Railways, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) and Italian Railway Company to enhance training and scientific cooperation.

IUST and Italy also inked the third MoU to work together on scientific and educational cooperation and the transfer of railway transportation knowledge.

Mohammadzadeh said he hopes for further positive steps to be taken in railway cooperation field.

The Italian group are connected with the planning and construction of a high-speed rail corridor between Tehran, Qom and Isfahan, and electrification of the rail link between Tehran and Tabriz on the way to the Caucasus and Turkey.

The deal signed on Tuesday foresees FS supplying assistance to the Iranian railways for both high-speed and conventional rail lines, including a complete program for training personnel.

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