Even despite the difficult international situation, despite the confrontation unleashed by the so-called collective West, it is obvious that there is a growing interest in the activities of the Eurasian Economic Union from many foreign partners, said Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

He noted that negotiations are underway to conclude a full-fledged free trade agreement, including with Iran.

"This agreement is intended to replace the current temporary agreement of 2018, the implementation of which has already significantly affected the trade turnover of the Union with the Islamic Republic: by the end of 2021, trade increased by 73.5 percent to five billion dollars, exports from the Eurasian Economic Union increased by 2.1 times - up to 3.4 billion dollars," he said.

"In order to maintain the current preferential trade regime with Iran until a new free trade agreement is concluded, we support the decision to extend the interim agreement.

"We also consider it expedient to intensify negotiations on a free trade agreement with Egypt, start similar negotiations with Indonesia and, in addition, study the issue of concluding a preferential trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates,” he said.