SKOLKOVO, October 17. /TASS/. Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov hopes the free trade zone agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Singapore will be signed in 2018.

"It would be great for us to prepare the background for signing the agreement next year," he said Tuesday.

According to Shuvalov, the sides are currently conducting respective consultations.

"We need to obtain the approval of the union (EAEU) regarding investments and services. This is the area of governments’ competence and we have agreed to hold consultations in November. Following consultations I will receive a joint work group, after which we will draft a further plan of action," he said.