Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to attend a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State in Bishkek on October 13, as confirmed by Yuri Ushakov, the presidential aide for international affairs, during a briefing with journalists.
"On October 13, in Bishkek, the President of the Russian Federation will participate in the meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State," stated the presidential aide. He further clarified that, in addition to the Russian leader, the summit will be attended by the presidents of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The absence of the Armenian Prime Minister is due to specific circumstances.
Ushakov outlined the schedule for the upcoming CIS Council of Heads of State meeting, stating that it will commence with a traditional closed meeting involving only the leaders. Subsequently, the council will convene in a broader format, with delegations participating. He also mentioned that a substantial set of joint documents is expected to be signed at the end of the summit, followed by an official reception.
Highlighting Russia's commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation and integration within the CIS, Ushakov emphasized that this is a top priority in Russian foreign policy. The objective is to enhance collaboration across various spheres, including politics, economics, culture, humanitarian affairs, law enforcement, and more. Ushakov explained that during the summit, the heads of state will review the year's cooperation within the Commonwealth and establish future goals. They will also exchange views on current international and regional issues. Furthermore, President Putin will inform his counterparts about Russia's main priorities for its upcoming chairmanship in the CIS in 2024.
The meeting will place a strong emphasis on the development of trade and investment partnerships. Russia's foreign trade turnover with CIS member states increased by 6% in 2022 compared to the previous year, reaching $101.7 billion. The positive trend continued in January-July 2023, with trade volume growing by 4.2% to $57.4 billion. Security within the CIS region will also be a central topic, and decisions are expected to be made regarding enhanced coordination in areas such as counterterrorism, countering extremism, combatting organized crime, curbing illegal drug trafficking, and addressing corruption.
Ushakov concluded by mentioning that a substantial set of documents will be signed at the conclusion of the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting, and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov and CIS Secretary General Sergei Lebedev will be briefed on the meeting's outcomes.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS