Cooperation in energy among priorities of CIS countries cooperation in 2009

Cooperation in energy is determined a key cooperation area of CIS countries. The summit of CIS heads of states made such a decision in Bishkek on October 10, as reported.

The summit participants also agreed to establish a working group within CIS on the level of finance ministers in view of current situation in the world economics. The first session of the working group is supposed to be held in the near future in Moscow.

The draft strategy of CIS economic development till 2020 was among the main topics at the meeting and it was approved under the condition of revision. The summit participants decided to submit it for approval at the meeting of heads of states in Chisinau on November 11, 2008.

Following the meeting results, the summit participants signed the convention on transborder cooperation of CIS member countries and the agreement on the council on interregional and transborder cooperation of CIS member countries, approved the joint statement on cooperation intensification in fighting drug traffic, confirmed the plan of main events on celebration of the 65th anniversary of the victory in the World War II.

2009 was announces a Year of Youth in CIS and 2010 - a Year of Science and Innovations.

Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Raisa Bohatyriova represented Ukraine. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko provided her with the relevant authorities.

Azerbaijani president did not participate in the summit. Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Tair ogly Rasizade represented BAKU. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili was not present at the meeting as well; on August 18, 2008, Georgia announced its withdrawal from CIS.

According to decisions adopted at the meeting, Kyrgyzstan will hand CIS presidency over to Moldova from January 1, 2009. The next CIS summit will take place on October 9, 2009 in Chisinau.