Iranian official: Discussions underway to establish a trilateral free zone between Iran, Syria and Iraq

The Iranian President’s advisor and Secretary of the Supreme Council for Free Trade, Industrial and Special Economic Zones in Iran, Hojatollah Abdul Maliki, has announced that discussions are being held with 21 countries to establish a joint free zone, as an agreement has been reached with five countries, including Syria and Iraq.

“Iran seeks to establish a joint free zone with other countries, but it is currently seeking to establish a joint, tripartite free zone by negotiating with Syria and Iraq,” Referring to the issue of the joint free zone, Abdul Maliki told the Iranian IRNA agency.

He stressed that the investment jump takes place through establishing this zone which is under follow-up within the issue of developing the international economy.

Abdul Maliki indicated that the stage of signing a document with five countries has been reached, which is either in the form of a memorandum of understanding, or within the context of the approvals of the joint committee, adding that the talks were held with Iraq and Syria in order to establish the zone. The negotiating parties expressed their approval and are currently awaiting a tripartite meeting to be held concerning this matter.

“The establishment of a joint free zone will benefit the three countries, and will make Iran’s access to the Mediterranean region very easy” Abdul Maliki said.

Rawaa Ghanam