Russia Planning Iran-EAEU Free Trade Zone
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The foreign minister of Russia outlined plans to create a joint free trade zone between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart in Moscow on Wednesday, Sergei Lavrov said Moscow is working on an agreement to create a free trade zone between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union.
He noted that Russia is also weighing plans for a long-term economic cooperation document with Iran, saying the two states may develop a road map to economic interaction considering that Moscow’s relations with Tehran are moving towards strategic levels.
On the talks about saving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and lifting the sanctions on Iran, Lavrov reiterated that Russia supports the revival of the nuclear deal and the termination of all sanctions imposed against Tehran.
He noted that Russia shares stances with Iran on many issues.
For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said he has conveyed a message from a European leader to Russia about the crisis in Ukraine, as there are a series of ideas about ending the Ukraine war.
He noted that talks have been held with Lavrov about the humanitarian issues amid the war in Ukraine.
Referring to the JCPOA talks, Amirabdollahian said Iran has received the last response from the US about the removal of sanctions and is examining it.
“We need a stronger text in regard to the guarantees (of sanctions removal). We need to have stronger guarantees when it comes to this subject,” he added, reiterating Tehran’s resolve to strike a durable agreement.
Amirabdollahian also called on the International Atomic Energy Agency to abandon political approaches, saying Iran would not accept accusations made by the UN nuclear watchdog after the return of the JCPOA parties to their commitments.
Iran also cares about issues relating to the Safeguards Agreement of the IAEA, he added, stressing that an eventual deal will be at hand if the US acts realistically and the existing draft text becomes stronger.
The Iranian foreign minister also expressed gratitude to Russia for supporting Tehran’s logical stances in the course of talks on lifting the sanctions.
Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Moscow on Tuesday night, Amirabdollahian said the main goal of the visit to Moscow is making efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis based on a request made to the Islamic Republic of Iran. “Some Western parties want Tehran to play an active role in this regard.”
