Nikol Pashinyan: Armenia attaches great importance to the development  of political and economic relations with Iran

ArmInfo. Armenia attaches great importance to the development of political and economic relations with Iran, as well as the development of relations with  Tehran within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union. The Prime  Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said this on  February 12 from the rostrum of the parliament.

According to him, the agreement on a free trade zone between the EEU  and Iran is in the process of ratification. Nikol Pashinyan stressed  that the use of free trade mechanisms will have a significant impact  on the Armenian-Iranian trade and economic relations.

The Prime Minister reminded that Armenia actively cooperates with  Iran in the energy sector, and there are all the prerequisites for  deepening this cooperation. As for political relations, as Nikol  Pashinyan noted, they are at a very high level. "On February 27, I  will make a visit to Tehran, which is also evidence of this," Nikol  Pashinyan said, adding that the development of bilateral relations is  not directed against third countries. 

To recall, the interim agreement leading to the formation of a free   trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Islamic   Republic of Iran was signed on May 17 in the framework of the Astana   Economic Forum. The agreement was signed by Tigran Sargsyan, Chairman   of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), Armenian   Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, First Deputy Prime Minister of   Belarus Vasily Matyushevsky, First Deputy Prime Minister of   Kazakhstan Askar Mamin, Vice Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Zamirbek   Askarov, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Kozak; and Iranian   Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Shariatmadari .

After the document signing ceremony, Armenian Deputy Prime Minister   Tigran Avinyan pointed to the historically established   good-neighborly relations with Iran. "Armenia is the only EAEU   country that has a land border with Iran, and we will try to use it   for the benefit of the market of Armenia, the EAEU and Iran," he   said. Tigran Avinyan said that the Free Economic Zone (FEZ) "Megri"   will be involved in cooperation with Iran. It provides the   opportunity to organize joint production on its area. Producers from   Iran can import raw materials into the FEZ and get finished products   without bureaucratic procedures for supplying to the EAEU market. As   an example of cooperation with Iran, the representative of Armenia   cited the already existing experience - Armenia manufactures food   products under Iranian "halal" standards.

To note, the list for the EAEU products subject to preferential   taxation will include meat and -and-oil products, certain types of   confectionery and chocolate, as well as metals, cosmetics, certain   types of electronic and mechanical equipment. The Iranian side will  be granted tariff preferences for an expanded list of foodstuffs,   primarily vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, as well as building   materials, utensils, carpets, and some non-ferrous products. For   industrial goods, the average rate of import duties of Iran will   decrease from 22.4% to 15.4%, that is, by 7 pp, of the Union, from 8%   to 4.7%, that is, by 3.3 pp . For agricultural products, Iran will   reduce duties from an average of 32.2% to 13.2%, that is, by 19 pp,   of the Union from 9.6% to 4.6%, that is, by 5 pp .