Vladimir Putin
SAINT PETERSBURG, 22 December (BelTA) – Over more than three decades, the CIS has established itself as a reputable integration association, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at an informal meeting of CIS heads of state in St. Petersburg, BelTA has learned.
“Over more than three decades, the Commonwealth has established itself as a reputable regional integration association rooted in the principles of genuine good-neighborliness, equal partnership, mutual benefit, and consideration of each other’s interests,” Vladimir Putin said.
The Russian leader noted that the Commonwealth of Independent States has been instrumental not only in preserving but also in substantially expanding the economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian ties across the post-Soviet space.
“In the past year, the multifaceted cooperation between our countries has developed successfully overall,” the Russian head of state emphasized. “This is evidenced by the substantial volume of trade between Russia and the Commonwealth member states, which amounted to almost $90 billion in the first ten months of this year. CIS countries are expanding cooperation in the monetary and financial sphere. Their own payment instruments, independent of foreign banking systems, are increasingly being used to service mutual economic transactions. The share of national currencies in settlements for commercial transactions between Commonwealth countries already exceeds 96%.”
He noted that, with the active involvement of CIS entrepreneurs, major industrial and infrastructure projects are being implemented, new Eurasian production and transport chains are being established, and transcontinental logistics corridors are being modernized and improved.
“Furthermore, import substitution processes are proceeding rapidly. This strengthens the technological sovereignty of our states,” Vladimir Putin added. “Mutual interest among participating countries in deepening practical cooperation in industry, science, technology, digitalization, and innovation is growing.”
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