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Iran's First Vice President (Prime Minister) Mohammad Reza Aref arrived at Issyk Kul International Airport in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on August 14 for the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting, IRIB reported.
The Eurasian Economic Union comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia, and it represents a significant economic bloc for regional integration and trade facilitation.
During the two-day visit, Aref will participate and deliver a speech at the Eurasian Economic Union Intergovernmental Council meeting, whilst holding talks with heads of state and officials from member countries of the economic union.
The Islamic Republic of Iran became an observer member of the Eurasian Economic Union during the heads of state summit in St Petersburg, Russia, in January 2025, following efforts by the 14th government and as part of its foreign policy strategy to develop relations with neighbouring, regional countries.
The membership came after full implementation of the free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union, under which 87% of all Iranian export items to the union are subject to zero tariffs.
Union members approved Iran's observer status as the country seeks to expand economic cooperation with regional partners whilst diversifying trade relationships beyond traditional markets.
A meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council is scheduled for August 14 evening, with ministers of Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) member states will assess the organisation’s activities in 2024, including efforts to form a single oil and gas market.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin also arrived in the Kyrgyz Republic for the meeting, along with other Russian officials, Tass later reported on August 14.
Earlier, it was reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin would participate in the summit, according to previous reports from the Russian media in May.
The exact time of Putin's arrival depends on the upcoming meeting with Donald Trump in Alaska's largest city, Anchorage, on August 15. He is expected to visit following that meeting, according to some reports.
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