Iran on Verge of Joining Eurasia Free Trade Zone

In an address to the fifteenth meeting of the Joint Commission of Iran and Russia on Sunday, Ardakanian said based on the agreement which is expected to be approved by Iran’s Guardian Council, 800 goods would be subject to tariff reductions.

“The agreement will pave the way for further expansion of ties between Iran and the EAEU,” he was quoted as saying in a report by ISNA.

The minister expressed hope that the agreement is implemented as soon as possible, preparing the ground for further mutual ties.

His remarks came after the Iranian parliament on Monday ratified the agreement that allows the administration to join the free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries.

The agreement, signed in Kazakhstan in May 2018, sets the main rules of trade between the EAEU, Iran and those of the World Trade Organization (WTO), of which Iran is not a member.

The free trade zone is planned to be in effect for four years, under which the EAEU will grant Iran tariff concessions on more than 500 items.

Russia’s State Duma and the Federation Council had ratified the agreement to establish Iran-EAEU free trade zone in November 2018.

The Eurasian Economic Union is an economic union of states located in central and northern Asia and Eastern Europe. The Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union was signed in 2014 by the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, and came into force on 1 January 2015.

In his Sunday comments, Ardakanian also referred to the cooperation underway between Iran and Russia in tourism sector and said the two sides can take advantage of the Caspian Sea tourist capacities through joint projects.

“Today, amid the current brutal sanctions by the US, the two countries can expand their economic ties more than ever,” he said.

Ardakanian called for drafting a special roadmap for the Caspian Sea.

He also said Iran attaches great importance to the Caucuses region for its expansion of mutual ties with Russian and said “with its 10-million population, the north Caucuses can play a key role in expanding Iran and Russia’s economic ties.”

He added the current capacities in all areas including transport, tourism and so on should be tapped into for further ties.