EEC minister on EAEU’s plans to set up free trade zones with third countries
MOSCOW, 12 October (BelTA) – Member of the Board (Minister) for Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission Andrei Slepnev talked about the plans to set up free trade zones between the Eurasian Economic Union and third countries as he held a press conference in Moscow on 12 October, BelTA has learned.
“Negotiations with Egypt are already at an advanced stage,” the minister said. “I hope that we will be able to announce about the agreements in principle. This is a broad-ranging deal. It will be complemented, of course, by the work of countries on the bilateral agenda: Russia is working actively. So is Belarus. Production has been growing. In general, Egypt is the gateway to the African, Arab region, a very important country. “
Andrei Slepnev also recalled that work is underway to conclude a full-scale agreement with Iran: currently the EAEU has a temporary free trade agreement with this country. Negotiations are underway with India, too.
“We are looking to proceed to negotiations with countries such as Mongolia and Indonesia. Indonesia is an important market, of more than 280 million people. What we have today is a very ambitious agenda, I must say,” the EEC minister added.
