Putin Expects Talks on Iran’s Membership in Eurasian Economic Union in Coming Months
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow supports Tehran’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and that a free trade zone can be established between Iran and the Russian-led alliance.
Speaking in a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the Azeri capital of Baku on Monday, Putin stressed the need to boost Tehran-Moscow cooperation in various areas, particularly in the area of economy, energy, and transportation.
He further emphasized that his country backs Iran’s membership in the EAEU and closer cooperation between the two sides in free trade.
The Russian president also expressed the hope that talks on the issue would be held by the year’s end.
Rouhani, for his part, said Iran and Russia are taking steps toward “strategic cooperation”, adding that Tehran welcomes efforts to deepen ties with Moscow.
During the meeting, the two presidents also pointed to the July 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and other world powers, known as JCPOA, and underlined the necessity for complete and strict implementation of the agreement.
The remarks come against the backdrop of a new wave of interest in ties with Iran after Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on July 14, 2015 reached a conclusion over the text of a comprehensive 159-page deal on Tehran's nuclear program and started implementing it on January 16.
The comprehensive nuclear deal, known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), terminated all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran.
