DUSHANBE, May 28, Asia-Plus – The 19th meeting of CIS prime ministers in Yalta, Ukraine, has resulted in signing of a series of documents, including an agreement forming a common electric power market in the CIS. The agreement was signed between Armenia, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan at the 19th meeting of CIS premiers on Friday May 25.
The meeting’s agenda included more than twenty items. The main discussion focused on the draft agreement on the formation of a common CIS electric energy market.
Armenia, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan inked the agreement, while six other countries, including Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, did not join the accord.
According to Ukraine and Moldova, the agreement forms the market in favor of Russia. Ukrainian First Vice-Premier Nikolai Azarov said that Ukraine would develop energy cooperation with CIS partners.
The agreement on the common electric power market envisages the same rates in electric power trade between the CIS states. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov said the agreement will enlarge electricity selling in the CIS.
The heads of the CIS governments also stated their views on the formation of a CIS Council of the Heads of State and Public TV and Radio Organizations.
The meeting also considered several draft agreements devoted to the social and legal guarantees to the personnel of the CIS Collective Peacekeeping Force and to the procedure of financially and technically ensuring their logistical support.
The meeting also discussed a set of joint actions to prevent the spreading out of bird flu.
The previous meeting of the CIS council of Prime Ministers was held in Minsk on November 24, 2006.
