MOSCOW, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Russia views fellow Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) nations as strategic partners and is committed to strengthening cooperation, the Kremlin reported Tuesday, citing President Vladimir Putin during a meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council in a narrow format.
"For us, CIS countries are our closest neighbors, friends, and strategic partners," Putin said.
"Naturally, we are determined to strengthen our cooperation in every possible way," he added, emphasizing that collaboration within the CIS is a main priority of Russia's foreign policy, particularly during its 2024 chairmanship.
Putin noted that economic cooperation would be a major topic at the summit, with discussions focused on expanding trade and investment ties.
He also mentioned that CIS leaders would discuss concrete steps to enhance partnerships in various sectors, ranging from security to cultural cooperation, and explore ways to improve the effectiveness of the organization's structures.
The CIS, founded in 1991 as a regional organization of former Soviet republics, is hosting leaders from Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan at the meeting. ■