Published: 10:47, October 9, 2024
Putin: Russia committed to strengthening cooperation with CIS countries
By Xinhua
Russian President Vladimir Putin deliveries his speech during extended meeting during the summit of the heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Oct 8, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

MOSCOW - Russia views fellow Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) nations as strategic partners and is committed to strengthening cooperation, the Kremlin reported Tuesday, citing President Vladimir Putin during a meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council in a narrow format.

"For us, CIS countries are our closest neighbors, friends, and strategic partners," Putin said.

"Naturally, we are determined to strengthen our cooperation in every possible way," he added, emphasizing that collaboration within the CIS is a main priority of Russia's foreign policy, particularly during its 2024 chairmanship.

(From left) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdymukhamedov, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and General Secretary of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Sergei Lebedev pose for a photo prior to a meeting of the heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) at the Kremlin in Moscow on Oct 8, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

Putin noted that economic cooperation would be a major topic at the summit, with discussions focused on expanding trade and investment ties.

He also mentioned that CIS leaders would discuss concrete steps to enhance partnerships in various sectors, ranging from security to cultural cooperation, and explore ways to improve the effectiveness of the organization's structures.

READ MORE: CIS leader expects further cooperation with SCO

The CIS, founded in 1991 as a regional organization of former Soviet republics, is hosting leaders from Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan at the meeting.