Russia hosts meeting of Commonwealth of Independent States foreign ministers

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia on Monday hosted a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in the capital Moscow.

A statement by the CIS said Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan’s top diplomats, as well as Turkmenistan’s ambassador to Moscow, exchanged views on current international issues and interaction within the organization.

The readout said multiple documents were adopted during the meeting, including a statement on the inadmissibility of using unilateral sanctions in international relations, which it said is not consistent with the UN Charter and international law.

“States are advised to refrain from adopting, distributing and applying such restrictive measures, as they impede the achievement of socio-economic development goals,” it said.

The statement said such measures are “contrary to the full enjoyment of human rights.”

It said the top diplomats also signed a consultation plan between foreign ministries of the CIS for 2025, adding that the document includes consultation on topics such as countering new challenges and threats, arms control, and disarmament.

The CIS is a regional organization formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 by its former members to encourage cooperation in economic, political, and security affairs.

It includes nine members – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan — and Turkmenistan, which is an associate member. However, Moldova has suspended its participation in CIS meetings in 2022.​​​​​​​