Cooperation between Iran and the EAEU: Opportunities and constraints
The aim of this article is to identify various factors affecting cooperation between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and to determine the prospects for further cooperation. On May 17, 2018, an interim agreement was signed between the EAEU and Iran, leading to the formation of a free trade zone. Cooperation between Iran and the EAEU is developing in three main areas: trade, transport, and energy. The distribution of trade turnover between the EAEU countries and Iran is very uneven, a significant share in it belongs to Russia, and the smallest to Belarus and Kyrgyzstan. Transport projects and energy contracts can become a vector for the development of integration processes between Iran and the EAEU. The development of Iran’s relations with the EAEU and China opens up opportunities for connecting the transport corridors of the EAEU to the Chinese One Belt and One Road initiative in the southern direction. It seems possible to divide the process of economic rapprochement between the EAEU and Iran into three stages. The first stage of interaction is characterized by the study of the possibility of creating a free trade zone (FTZ) and identifying the benefits that both parties will receive from signing this agreement. The second stage will require the normative and legal consolidation of the norms and principles of trade and economic cooperation, and the signing of an interim agreement on the establishment of a FTZ. The third stage includes the development of a further action plan and negotiations to conclude a full-fledged agreement on the establishment of a FTZ. In the process of interaction with the EAEU, Iran may face certain problems. Restoration of the US sanctions in 2018, especially on the energy, shipping and financial sectors, has led to a decline in foreign investment and a blow to oil exports. The possibility of termination or suspension of foreign investment in transport projects can significantly affect Iran-EAEU cooperation. By creating and improving the transport and logistics infrastructure, Iran will become a link in the construction of international transport corridors. Further deepening of Iran-EAEU relations, however, will assist both parties to confront regional challenges and threats and to strengthen their security system in the region by establishing a dialogue with neighboring countries. The author declares no conflicts of interests.
Keywords
regional integration,
cooperation,
Eurasian Economic Union,
Iran,
Russia,
free trade zoneAuthors
| Zeleneva Irina V. | Saint Petersburg State University | irina_zeleneva@mail.ru |
Всего: 1
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