EAEU, Iran agreed on almost all parameters of free trade zone
Trade Minister of the Eurasian Economic Commission Andrei Slepnev has completed his two-day visit to Tehran, the main purpose of which was to consider, at the level of heads of delegations, the main issues of negotiations on concluding a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Iran. From the Iranian side, the negotiating delegation was headed by Iranian Industry, Mining and Trade Minister, Head of Iran’s Trade Development Organisation Alireza Peyman Pak, the EEC press service reports.
The modalities of the agreements necessary to complete the negotiations and sign the agreement were considered. All issues have been agreed, with the exception of mutual access to the market for certain categories of agricultural products, on which the sides agreed to continue discussions.
Speaking at the end of the meeting, Andrei Slepnev underlined the high dynamics of the development of co-operation with Iran. In 2021, the trade turnover between the EAEU and Iran increased by 74 percent, and in the first ten months of 2022 – by another 25 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
“The prospects for the development of long-term mutually beneficial interaction in the field of transport, industry, agriculture and food security, as well as in other areas are impressive. The future agreement will enable to put a strong contractual basis under these joint plans,” the EEC Minister for Trade noted.
During the visit, a meeting was also held with Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Affairs Mehdi Safari. Possible further steps to strengthen the foundations of economic collaboration between the EAEU and Iran were discussed.
Moreover, Andrei Slepnev met with the heads of diplomatic missions of the Eurasian Economic Union member states.
