OREANDA-NEWS  The agreement on the creation of a free trade zone between the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union and the UAE is already ready and is expected to be signed in 2025, said Andrei Slepnev, Minister of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission, speaking at an international forum within the framework of the "Russian Business Weeks" organized by the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.

"As for the agreement with the Emirates, we have it ready, negotiations have been completed, our internal procedures are currently underway, and we certainly hope that the agreement should be signed this year," he said.

According to him, "consultations with India related to free trade issues are also actively underway."

"Of course, it's too early to talk about any parameters and results, but I can confirm that the partner's interest is high," Slepnev said.

Indonesia is showing great interest in the free trade agreement with the EAEU, according to Slepnev.

The EEC's contacts with Egypt on the creation of a free trade area are continuing, a working group has been set up to conclude an agreement with Tunisia, and work is underway to prepare an agreement with Mongolia, the EEC Minister said.

He recalled that in 2025, the free trade regime should begin to operate between the EAEU countries and Iran. "We hope that the agreement will enter into force literally in the coming months, after the countries complete their technical procedures," he said, adding that all the ratification procedures have already been completed.