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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, November 30, 2001

CIS Prime Ministers Discuss Commonwealth's Past, Prospects

The heads of the governments of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) gathered in Moscow Thursday to discuss the commonwealth's activities in the last 10 years and its future.


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The heads of the governments of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) gathered in Moscow Thursday to discuss the commonwealth's activities in the last 10 years and its future.

There were 21 topics on the agenda of the meeting of the Council of CIS Prime Ministers, which can be grouped into three major categories, the meeting's chairman, Kasymzhomart Tokayev, who is also Kazakh Prime Minister, told reporters.

At first, the prime ministers listened to a political report on the situation in the CIS and discussed its analytical conclusions. "These conclusions enable us to understand 'how the CIS has managed to achieve its current level of development and what lessons should be drawn?'," Tokayev said.

Economy was discussed as a separate issue. Special attention was paid to the tariff and non-tariff policy. Tokayev called for removing all trade barriers between the CIS members.

The prime ministers adopted a program of creating an information and marketing center to promote the trade inside the commonwealth.

They also discussed joint steps against terrorism. Tokayev said that a document defining the principles and rules of carrying out anti-terrorist operations is being drafted and debated.

The prime ministers agreed on a schedule of major cultural events to be held before 2005. They also discussed prospects of creating a single CIS educational center as well as issues related to licensing educational activities.

They agreed to hold youth sport games in Moscow in 2002.

Describing the CIS creation as the most vital achievement of the former Soviet republics' leaders, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov said the commonwealth states have managed to liberalize their economies, to develop private businesses and make positive strides in other spheres over the past decade.

The conflicts, which flared up after the USSR's demise, have entered a phase of political settlement, and the CIS countries have established civilized cooperation in trade, economy and the defense sector.

The Russian prime minister termed the creation of an anti- terrorist center "another vital CIS achievement," and cultural integration "an important element of the CIS development."

However, Kasyanov said, it is a pity that the CIS territory has become a corridor for weapon and drug smuggling. The average wages of the CIS populations are still floating at a low level, most of residents are living a pour life.

He called on the CIS countries to take potent and positive measures to overcome these evils and difficulties.

The CIS prime ministers will hold their next regular meeting on May 30, 2002.




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