3 minute read
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Cooperation between Iran and Eurasian Economic Union, including creation of a free trade zone, may develop in two ways. Expert of Iranian studies Sevak Sarukhanyan told the journalists about this, mentioning that the creation of a free trade zone is not visible in the near future. “Creation of a free trade zone between Iran and the EAEU is possible in not a very short time as the Iranian economy is oriented toward the domestic marketand producer. Though the situation changes little by little, a special working group has been formed inside the Ministry of Economy of Iran which is actively engaged in preparations of negotiations between Iran and World Trade Organization. This means that Iran has adopted the path of liberalizing its own economy”, “Armenpress” reports that the expert of Iranian studies mentioned. According to him the potential partnership between Iran and Eurasian Economic Union is conditioned not only by Iran-Russia relations but also by the factor that Iran is an active player in Central Asia and Kazakhstan is one of its main trade partners. “The next perspective for cooperation is related to China’s project of “Silk Road” economic zone. The Presidents of Russia and China have announced that the EAEU and the “Silk Road” will adopt the policy of consolidation of benefits. Hence, Iran-EAEU cooperation can develop also in that way”, Sevak Sarukhanyan said.
According to him, the abovementioned factors will have only positive impact on Armenia. First, Iran wants to become WTO member and reforms will be undertaken in Iran. Its market will be liberalized and our economic relations with Iran will take advantage of it.
Sevak Sarukhanyan noted that cooperation between Iran and the EAEU is more likely than cooperation between EAEU and Turkey as Turkey prepares to sign a new customs agreement with the European Union.