Russian-Iranian trade grows 17% over last year - Russian PM

MOSCOW. Jan 17 (Interfax) - Russia and Iran are actively cooperating in transport and energy, and their trade is growing, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at negotiations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

"Our governments are working actively in the field of transport, above all the North-South international transport corridor, as well as in the field of energy. Our interaction is also broadening in education, as more than 9,000 Iranian students are being trained in Russia. Tourist exchanges are on the rise. We have a visa-free system for tourist groups," Mishustin said at the meeting.

Bilateral trade grew 17% in 2024, he said.

"We welcome Iran's observer status at the EAEU, which will create the best climate for mutual trade and every operational project, especially as the Free Trade Area Agreement takes effect," Mishustin said.

"We continue to hold Days of Culture of Russia and Iran, artistic tours, cinema weeks, and exhibitions. Citizens of our countries familiarize themselves with each other's rich culture, history and spiritual life. Clearly, all that contributes to the strengthening of friendship and neighborly relations between Russia and Iran," he said.

Pezeshkian said, for his part, that Iran's involvement in the EAEU would give a boost to bilateral relations with Russia.

"As to our cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union, I am positive that our involvement in this Union will give a strong impetus to the development of bilateral relations," Pezeshkian said at the meeting with Mishustin.

Earlier, the EAEU leaders approved Iran's observer status and the EAEU-Iran free trade agreement.