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 .