The meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State began Friday in Astana.
The first meeting is held in a narrow format: only the leaders themselves, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, take part in it. Later there will be a meeting in an extended format with the participation of delegations.
The summit's agenda includes topics of integration cooperation in politics, economy and humanitarian sphere, further development of trade and investment partnership within the CIS and security issues.
Opening the summit, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that "important issues related to humanitarian partnership, security and other aspects" of cooperation of the CIS member states are submitted for consideration of the heads of states. Tokayev also separately greeted President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who is attending the CIS summit for the first time since his election as head of state in March of this year, and wished him success in his state activities.
The meeting is expected to decide on launching the work of the CIS Commission on Human Rights. In addition, an international organization for the support and promotion of the Russian language under the auspices of the CIS may be established.
It is also expected that an agreement will be reached on obtaining by the Commonwealth of Independent States of an observer status in the CSTO. In general, a solid package of joint documents has been prepared for approval at the summit.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS