TEHRAN -– Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, Muhammad Atabak has called for lifting impediments on Iran-Russia trade exchanges.
Atabak who is in Russia to attend the first joint committee for the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states met with Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maxim Reshetnikov.
He stressed the role of the private sectors in developing trade relations and called for removing trade barriers, including facilitating financial transactions and harmonizing the two countries’ standards.
He reiterated Iran’s determination to finalize the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
He noted that grounds have been paved for the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway.
Meanwhile, Reshetnikov described the year 2025 as a turning point in Tehran-Moscow economic relations due to significant events such as the signing of a comprehensive strategic treaty between the two countries, the full implementation of the Free Trade Agreement with the EAEU, and Iran’s status as observer in this body.
He pointed to a 35% growth in trade between Iran and Russia following the implementation of the Iran-EAEU Free Trade Agreement compared to the same period last year.
These results show the two countries’ determination to develop economic relations.
He reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the EAEU Free Trade Agreement with Iran.
Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) signed a free trade agreement in a ceremony held in St. Petersburg on December 25, 2023.
According to this agreement, which took effect on May 15, 2025, after being ratified by the parliaments of the signatories, the parties completely removed customs tariffs for approximately 87% of goods in their trade exchanges.
The Eurasian Economic Union is an intergovernmental economic union comprising Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia. The active observer members of the union are the Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan, and Cuba. Iran joined the union as an observer member in 2024.