Iran, Russia 'Will Benefit' if Tehran Joins Eurasian Economic Union

Tehran is almost sure to benefit if it joins the Eurasian Economic Union, which will, in particular, add to the development of Tehran's ties with Moscow, according to prominent Iranian political expert Mahmoud Shoori.

In an interview with Sputnik, eminent Iranian political expert Mahmoud Shoori said that Tehran's possible Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) membership will be of paramount importance to Iran's economy and will also help bolster relations with Russia.

Shoori recalled that Iran is currently shifting to a new political and economic level as a result of the lifting of sanctions, which were earlier slapped on the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program.

"Joining the EEU will give a fresh impetus to trade and economic cooperation with the [country’s] closest geographical and historical partners, including first and foremost Russia," he said.

Putin: Another significant achievement. Launch of the Eurasian Economic Union with our closest partners and allies. https://t.co/AOSIB7SBAn

— willem middelkoop (@wmiddelkoop) 24 декабря 2015

Shoori added that Iran's potential EEU membership will envisage Tehran getting a wide array of perks from the Russian market, including those related to customs, trade, and the legal sector, as well as the investment sphere and the protection of working conditions.

"Therefore, it is a great opportunity for the development of relations between our countries, something that will specifically boost bilateral trade turnover and investment," Shoori said.

#Putin: Why can there be a European Union, but not the Eurasian Economic Union? Why does the West oppose this? pic.twitter.com/6SWn5nfLe8

— Nina Byzantina (@NinaByzantina) 20 декабря 2015

He was echoed by another noted Iranian political scientist, Davood Kiani, who in a separate interview with Sputnik touted the EEU as a kind of a railway which he said "will link Iran to Russia." Kiani pointed out that cooperation within the framework of the EEU is of great significance to both Russia and Iran.

"Iran could easily fill the vacuum in the Russian market's food and agricultural sector [which emerged] after the introduction of European sanctions and deteriorating relations between Moscow and Ankara. As for Iran's possible EEU membership, it will help create new jobs and get additional income," Kiani concluded.

Since the beginning of 2015, exports of goods from EEU countries to Iran have reportedly exceeded 1.4 billion dollars, while imports stood at 445 million dollars. Right now, the EEU members and Tehran are negotiating the creation of a free trade zone, media reports said.

The EEU includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia. It was established in 2014, when Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus signed a relevant agreement in the Kazakh capital Astana.