Russia: Eurasian Economic Union, Iran Free Trade Zone Agreement Finalized, Government Says

Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov announced on April 2 that negotiations for a free trade zone agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Iran have been finalized and the deal could likely be signed by the end of May, Tass reported. EAEU countries, including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, have been working toward a free trade zone with Iran since 2015. As Iran faces another deadline regarding whether the United States will renew sanctions relief under the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, it will seek out additional opportunities for alternative trade.