Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 14 April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov took part in a regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS in Samarkand, the Russian Foreign Ministry reports.

The heads of the foreign ministries of the Commonwealth countries exchanged views on topical international issues and determined the main areas of cooperation within the framework of the organization for the current year. A high assessment was given to inter-MFA cooperation in 2022.

Sergei Lavrov outlined in detail Russian assessments of the situation in the world with an emphasis on the problems of ensuring global and regional security, noted the growing attempts by the countries of the "collective West" to interfere in the internal affairs of the CIS states. He informed the partners about the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine.

As a result of the meeting, decisions were made aimed at further strengthening integration ties in the political, cultural, humanitarian and educational spheres. In particular, the cities of Minsk (Republic of Belarus) and Gyumri (Republic of Armenia), respectively, were declared the Sports Capitals of the Commonwealth in 2023 and 2024, and the Russian University of Peoples’ Friendship named after. Patrice Lumumba was given the status of the base organization of the CIS for the training and retraining of journalistic personnel.

A number of approved documents will be submitted for consideration by the Council of CIS Heads of Government and the Council of CIS Heads of State.