Oriented on making people closer

Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov attended the regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which was held in Dushanbe on Thursday, October 9.

During the event, the CIS foreign ministers discussed current regional and international issues, as well as the current state and prospects for cooperation among CIS member states. Particular attention was paid to developing international, trade, and economic cooperation, enhancing ties in the digital, transport, and transit sectors, and a number of other promising areas.

According to the press service of the CIS Executive Committee, the meeting's agenda included 15 items.

The foreign ministers approved key measures for cultural cooperation among CIS member states for 2026–2028. The new three-year plan consists of 10 sections and includes 138 international and national events in various areas of cultural cooperation.

Particular attention is paid to the preservation and use of historical and cultural heritage sites, the development of museums and libraries, support for theatrical arts and music, the advancement of cinematography, and the training of qualified cultural personnel. The project envisages joint festivals, competitions, and conferences, as well as the exchange of experience between specialists. The agreed document will be submitted to the CIS Council of Heads of Government for approval.

The Council of Foreign Ministers approved the Plan for Multilevel Inter-Ministry Consultations within the Commonwealth of Independent States for 2026.

The document traditionally includes topics related to the coordination of CIS states' positions in the UN and interaction with other international organizations. Consultations are envisaged on foreign policy planning, countering new challenges and threats, arms control and disarmament issues, information cooperation, as well as cooperation in culture, science, education, sports, tourism, youth policy, and current issues of multilateral economic diplomacy.

The Council of Foreign Ministers approved the draft Decision on declaring the CIS Youth Capitals of 2027 and 2028. The document is expected to be approved at the 2026 meeting of the CIS Heads of Government Council in Ashgabat.

The next meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers will be held on April 17, 2026, in Kaliningrad, Russia.

ORIENT

Photo: eccis.org