A seminar dedicated to identifying trade barriers and promising areas of cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran was held at the Eurasian Economic Commission's headquarters, chaired by Andrey Slepnev, the EEC Minister in charge of Trade.

The meeting was held as part of the preparations for the second session of the Joint Committee on implementing the Free Trade Agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and its Member States, on the one part, and Iran, on the other part, dated December 25, 2023. The event was attended by representatives of the EAEU States' public authorities, as well as the business and academic circles.

“Our objective is to approach the second meeting of the Joint Committee with a list of specific problematic issues, proposals for their resolution, and draft arrangements that can be implemented through subsequent interaction with our partner,” Andrey Slepnev said, opening the seminar.

The EEC Minister reminded that the Agreement, effective from May 15, 2025, stipulated preferential access for 90% of the commodity nomenclature, while Iran's average import duty rate on goods from the EAEU countries decreased from 20% to 4.5%.

During the seminar, the attendees discussed technical regulation, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, simplifying the supply of halal products, payments, and insurance for trade projects. Particular attention was paid to developing the “North – South” economic corridor, as well as logistics, port, and rail infrastructure, road transport conditions, document flow digitization, increasing the transparency of foreign trade procedures, and opportunities for the EAEU companies to operate in Iran’s special economic zones.

“Today’s discussion confirmed that practical implementation of the Agreement’s benefits requires consistent efforts to eliminate non-tariff barriers, develop transport connectivity, and establish reliable payment and insurance mechanisms. This work becomes even more relevant today in light of the shift in our partner’s trade flows toward the north, observed against the backdrop of the escalating situation in the Middle East and around Iran,” Andrey Slepnev concluded.

The Commission will systematize the proposals received. The seminar results will be used in preparing expert events, meetings of the Agreement’s working bodies, and the agenda for the second meeting of the Joint Committee scheduled for October 2026.