Leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) wrapped up talks in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek Friday, pledging to strengthen integration and cooperation within the group.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev described the summit, which came against the backdrop of Georgia's withdrawal from the group and the global financial crisis, as "successful." Most analysts here believe that, despite increasing challenges, the post-Soviet bloc will continue to move on.
ENHANCED COOPERATION
"We have endorsed a package of important documents Friday, intending to strengthen our Commonwealth," said Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, whose country holds the CIS rotating presidency.
At the summit, CIS leaders approved 19 documents aimed at promoting cooperation in economy and security and in fighting drugs and illegal immigration.
They agreed to make energy a key area of cooperation in 2009 and declared 2009 the Year of Youth in the CIS. An action plan was also signed in preparation for the 65th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, also know as the Eastern Front of World War II.
Although it was not on the agenda originally, the global financial crisis was discussed by the heads of states at the meeting. A working group was established to fight the current global financial turmoil, and the CIS financial ministers will gather within 10 days in Moscow to discuss further measures.
However, the leaders failed to approve a draft strategy for CIS economic development till 2020, which was one of the summit's main topics. The document is to be revised and expected be brought for approval at a meeting of CIS prime ministers next month.
WITHDRAWAL OF GEORGIA
Established following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991,the CIS now groups 11 of the 15 former Soviet republics, except three Baltic states and Georgia, which decided in August to pull out from the bloc after a five-day conflict with Russia over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.
Georgia's withdrawal "should probably be regretted," but the move is unlikely to have any negative impact on the CIS, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
The membership of Georgia, which has long been at odds with Russia over its breakaway regions and its bid for NATO membership, had been meaningless, and its withdrawal would be conducive to thedevelopment of the CIS instead, analysts said.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko was also absent, amid political crisis at home and differences with Russia and other members over energy exports and other issues.
Ukraine has been pursuing NATO membership since 2004, when Yushchenko came to power, so it would quit the CIS sooner or later, but in view of its close economic links with other CIS member states, Ukraine will not pull out any time soon, analysts said.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
At a press conference after the summit, CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev dismissed as groundless speculation that the CIS would collapse.
The cooperation agreements signed at the summit indicated the strong willingness of CIS member states to further strengthen cooperation, he said.
Currently the question was not about whether or not the CIS should stay, but about how to make the organization more effective in the interests of each member country, he said.
In a reply to the question whether the Commonwealth has outlived its usefulness, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the CIS is not ideal but it has certain advantages.
"I do not idealize the CIS, nor does anyone," he told reporters after the summit.
"Today we had frank and even tough debates, but this is what makes it valuable. We don't have any other platform to discuss these issues," he said.
Analysts attributed the development of the CIS largely to the great importance Russia has attached to it, and they said economy is clearly playing an increasingly important role in solidifying the alliance.
In Bishkek, Medvedev, who has stressed that developing ties with CIS members is a priority of Russia's foreign policy, tried to smooth over tensions in the CIS, calling on CIS leaders to take EU cooperation as an example in the face of the global financial crisis.
At the summit, the leaders discussed the prospects of taking collective measures to protect financial markets in the region and ensure their future stability.
Source: Xinhua
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