CHOLPON-ATA /Kyrgyzstan/, August 7. /TASS/. The member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) intend to negotiate a free trade zone with African countries, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk told reporters following a meeting of EAEU prime ministers.

"There are some other countries, including African ones, with which we also intend to hold negotiations. These countries have already been notified, and we are awaiting their response," he said.

The meeting addressed the development of trade and economic ties with foreign partners of EAEU countries, Overchuk said. In particular, significant attention was paid to existing trade agreements as well as work on new ones. "The implementation of trade agreements already in effect with Vietnam, Iran, and Serbia was discussed, with a focus on removing not only tariff barriers but also non-tariff ones," he added.

Discussions were also held regarding negotiations with India, which are already at a "fairly advanced stage," the official noted. "A report was heard on expert consultations concerning negotiations with Pakistan. The countries support continuing negotiations with that nation," he said.