Armenia and Iran to establish simplified 'green' corridor at border

Armenia and Iran have agreed to establish a simplified customs "green" corridor at the Norduz–Meghri border crossing.

Report informs, citing Armenian media, that the decision was made following a meeting in Julfa between Iranian Deputy Minister of Economy and Head of the Customs Administration Farhad Asgari and Armenian State Revenue Committee Chairman Eduard Hakobyan.

At the meeting on September 12, the sides agreed on a number of measures to simplify customs procedures and expedite the movement of goods across the border between the two countries in order to facilitate and simplify trade. In particular, the sides agreed to introduce a simplified customs "green" corridor at the Iranian-Armenian border, which is expected to reduce cargo waiting times.

Another agreement provides for enhanced electronic pre-arrival information exchange, which will reduce administrative procedures for processing trucks entering the country. Armenia and Iran also agreed to simplify document checks by replacing paper documents with electronic ones.

The sides also discussed and approved a document on the mutual recognition of the status of Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs). This status is granted to certain companies that meet the requirements established by customs authorities. In addition, the sides agreed to extend the agreement on the joint use of the Norduz–Meghri border crossing for another 10 years, ensure electronic exchange of customs information, and consolidate cargo trucks carrying goods under a single commercial invoice.