Eurasian Union says roadmap for free trade with Iran finalized
The trade minister of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) said a roadmap had been drafted to operationalize the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the bloc’s five member states and Iran, referencing the implementation of the FTA effective May 15, 2025.
During a meeting in Moscow with Samad Hassanzadeh, the head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA), and his accompanying delegation, Andrei Slepnev added, “This roadmap encompasses measures to enhance direct cooperation between businesses of the EAEU and Iran, as well as thematic seminars to clarify the specifics of trade regulations between the two parties,” as reported by IRNA.
The EAEU Trade Minister emphasized that the FTA “establishes unique conditions for commercial actors to access each other’s markets, creates effective mechanisms and platforms for fostering collaboration, swiftly resolving trade and economic cooperation challenges, and strengthens mutual understanding of regulatory frameworks and implementation procedures in our respective countries.”
During the meeting, held at the headquarters of the Eurasian Economic Commission in Moscow, Slepnev viewed the new phase of cooperation with Iran as a partnership, adding, “It is crucial for our entrepreneurs to perceive one another not as competitors but as partners, enabling them to synergize their capabilities and technologies within a unified 250-million-person market.”
In another part of his remarks, the EAEU trade minister invited Iranian traders and business leaders to participate in the Eurasian Economic Forum, scheduled for June 26–27 in Minsk, Belarus.
According to the report, the two sides discussed strengthening trade engagement between EAEU and Iranian business communities under the framework of the FTA.
Hassanzadeh addressed existing challenges in trade with the EAEU, highlighting “weak transportation and logistics infrastructure,” stating, “Outdated and insufficient rail and road networks in Iran and parts of Eurasia hinder the acceleration of exports and imports.”
On the trade imbalance, the head of the ICCIMA noted, “Despite Iran’s $1.5 billion in exports, imports from Eurasia amounted to $1.7 billion, reflecting a negative trade balance.”