Summit of CIS Defense Ministers

30.11.2016
Russia

 In Moscow, a meeting of the CIS countries’ defense ministers is beginning. 

The current state of the CIS

At the moment, almost all the CIS member states agree on the need for fundamental changes in the organization, which was originally created to govern relations between the states formerly being parts of the USSR. And, apparently, these necessary changes will be made in the near future. Most likely, the composition of the CIS is also going to be changed, because new countries will be accepted, claiming their own interests. However, the membership of some others, such as Ukraine, could most likely be banned or frozen.

Preliminary meetings

Yesterday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with his Uzbek counterpart Kabul Berdiyev. They discussed the issue of terrorism during their talks. Sergei Shoigu paid attention to the situation on the Uzbek border, stressing the need for cooperation.

In addition, other issues of global security were also discussed. The Russian minister called the situation "alarming and challenging."

A special partner

Uzbekistan is a genuinely special partner for Moscow in the field of security and counter-terrorism. Firstly, Central Asia is exposed to this negative phenomenon, and secondly, Uzbekistan could be somehow weakened in the run-up to elections in mid-December of this year.

Confronting terrorism on its territory is extremely important for Russia, especially during the Christmas festivities, which are celebrated on a wide scale, unlike Europe, which has abolished many public events. 

Key questions

Therefore, the main issues at the general meeting will be, of course, anti-terrorist activities. In addition, much attention will be paid to the work of CIS troops in Syria, such as in de-mining areas and the operations of aerospace forces.

The creation of an association of higher military educational institutions of state and other forms of training cadets is also planned to be discussed during the summit. Sergei Shoigu and Kabul Berdiyev have already discussed the same issue. The Uzbek minister thanked Moscow for resuming the training program for Uzbek officers and cadets in Russian military schools, which was interrupted in 2012. Such programs are of great importance for Russia, which is striving for security in its sphere of influence.

Moreover, these training programs, especially in the military sector, are an element of soft power which makes Moscow the center of the region.

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CIS
Russia
cooperation
terrorism
Uzbekistán
Syria