DUSHANBE, October 10, 2008, Asia-Plus – President Emomali Rahmon is attending three summit meetings in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan today, according to presidential press service.
A session of the council of the CIS heads of state has already started in Bishkek. The CIS heads of state are expected to discuss 21 issues.
They include the draft strategy of the CIS economic development for the time period till 2020 and the CIS presidency. They are also considering the issue of determining the cooperation in the field of energy as the priority area of cooperation in 2009. The CIS summit will also consider the concept of contacts in the information security area and its implementation for 2008-2010, the plan of the main measures for preparation of the celebrations to mark the 65th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. The sides will also discuss the draft resolution on announcement of 2009 as the Year of the Youth of the Commonwealth, which is initiated by Belarus.
After that President Rahmon will preside over the next session of the interstate council of heads of state of the Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC). The EAEC members are Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Russia’s news agency Itar-Tass quoted Sergey Prikhodko, an Aide to the Russian President, as saying, “These negotiations are of profound importance due to the fact that this organization is developing at an accelerated pace.” “Key attention is expected to be devoted to the formation of a Customs Union and to the establishment of a Common Economic Space for the three states that are most prepared and interested to join it, that is Russia, Kyrgyzstan and the Belarus Republic with subsequent accession of other countries – Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan,” Prikhodko said.
According to presidential press service, a meeting of the Central Asian heads of state is expected to take place in Bishkek Friday evening.
Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, State Adviser to the Tajik President for International Matters Erkin Rahmatulloyev, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Ghulomjon Bobozoda, Finance Minister Safarali Najmuddinov, Minister of Energy and Industries Gul Sherali, Minister of Water Resources and Land Reclamation Said Yoqubzoda and other officials are accompanying Rahmon on his visit to Bishkek.
