Minister signs roadmap for future cooperation with EEU in Moscow
Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) signed a roadmap on Wednesday outlining trade and economic cooperation for the next three years, following the first meeting of their joint committee overseeing implementation of a free trade agreement.
The document was signed in Moscow by Iran’s Industry, Mine and Trade Minister Mohammad Atabak and EAEU Trade Minister Andrey Slepnev, IRNA reported.
Speaking to reporters after the signing, Atabak said the roadmap sets out the overall framework for future trade and economic ties between Iran and the EAEU’s five member states. He said the joint committee, comprising 16 subcommittees, reviewed past cooperation and discussed prospects for expanding relations.
According to the minister, the roadmap for 2025–2028 is designed to improve implementation of the free trade agreement and expand cooperation in areas including infrastructure, logistics, road and maritime transport, customs and digital trade. He added that additional agreements, such as in the field of halal trade, are also expected to boost collaboration.
Addressing the press conference, Slepnev noted that since the free trade agreement came into force on May 14, trade between Iran and the bloc has risen by about 16% compared with the same period last year. He said he expects the upward trend to continue through the end of the year.
The EAEU-Iran free trade agreement, approved by the parliaments of all parties, eliminated customs tariffs on 87% of traded goods when it took effect in May.
The first meeting of the joint committee was co-chaired by Atabak and Slepnev in Moscow and attended by Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazam Jalali.