Leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries will grant Iran an observer status at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council to be held in St. Petersburg on 26 December, Belarusian BelTA news announced on Tuesday, citing the press service of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC).
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has also made similar comments on the union planning to grant Iran observer status.
"The focus is on strengthening the EAEU's external ties. The circle of observer states is expanding. In addition to Uzbekistan and Cuba, Iran will also receive this status," Mishustin told the Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
Mishustin noted that the EAEU has free trade agreements with four countries and is negotiating with more nations to boost exports of EAEU goods and ensure competitively priced imports from non-member states.
A long-awaited free trade agreement was signed between Iran and the EAEU in late December 2023.