On June 8, 2023, a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States was held in Sochi under the chairmanship of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers – Head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Zhaparov, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Kohir Rasulzoda, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Khojamyrat Geldimyradov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Russian Federation Botirjon Asadov, Secretary General of the CIS Sergey Lebedev.
All issues included in the agenda were considered and 17 documents were adopted.
The Heads of Government exchanged views on topical issues of economic cooperation in the Commonwealth of Independent States, discussed and signed an agreement on free trade in services, establishment, activities and implementation of investments.
One of the main topics of discussion was the development of industrial cooperation of the CIS member states. The meeting adopted a corresponding Concept and a set of measures for its development for the period up to 2030.
The goals of the Concept are the creation of new high–tech industries, accelerated development and modernization of industrial production in the CIS countries, its technological renewal, increasing the production and export of competitive, innovative and knowledge-intensive products with a high share of added value, as well as achieving international standards for product quality, creating new jobs, improving the welfare and quality of life of the population.
The set of measures for the development of industrial cooperation of the CIS member states for the period up to 2030 acts as a mechanism for the implementation of the Concept and provides for the development and deepening of industrial cooperation through the implementation of the relevant industrial policy of the Commonwealth states.
The Heads of Government signed an agreement on cooperation in the exchange of radiation monitoring data. Such cooperation will make it possible to respond promptly to changes in the parameters of the radiation situation in the CIS space and ensure timely informing of neighboring states in the event of a threat or occurrence of transboundary transfer and spread of radioactive substances on the territory of the Commonwealth countries, including from third states.
The meeting approved an Agreement on Cooperation on the Documentation of Persons Subject to Forced Expulsion with Return Certificates, as well as amendments to the Agreement on the Rules for Determining the Country of Origin of Goods in the Commonwealth of Independent States of November 20, 2009.
A Memorandum of cooperation in the field of combating fraud (fraud) on telecommunication networks was signed. The document provides for tougher administrative and criminal liability for such crimes, cooperation and exchange of positive experience on the mechanisms used to prevent them, creation of conditions for the sustainable functioning and effective development of the international telecommunication services market in the interests of end users and protection of the economic interests of telecommunication operators, harmonization of national legislation in the field of security on telecommunication networks.
The CIS heads of Government also adopted an Action Plan for the implementation of the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Waste Management of Electronic and Electrical Equipment for the period up to 2030.
The members of the SGP decided to hold sports contests among children with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Independent States on a regular basis. They will be held at intervals once every four years, separately for winter and summer sports. The first competitions are proposed to be held in 2024 in winter sports, and in 2026 in summer sports.
By the decision of the Council of Heads of Government, the city of Tashkent (Uzbekistan) was declared the Youth capital of the CIS in 2024, the city of Gabala (Azerbaijan) in 2025, and the city of Kapan (Armenia) in 2026. All three cities have significant and generally applicable experience of working with young people, a rich cultural life. They develop the infrastructure necessary for the life of young people, and support international youth cooperation.
In addition, at the meeting of the Council, issues of financial support for the work of CIS bodies, a number of personnel appointments were considered.
The Heads of Government approved Dauren Abayev (Republic of Kazakhstan) as Deputy Secretary General of the CIS, Sergey Zubkov (Republic of Belarus) as Deputy Head of the Anti–Terrorist Center of the Commonwealth Member States, and also extended the term of office to Aibek Kutmanov (Kyrgyz Republic), Deputy Head of the Anti–Terrorist Center of the Commonwealth member States.
The next meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States is scheduled to be held on October 27, 2023 in Bishkek.
