Republican Party of Armenia

 Prime Minister of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan, who is paying a two-day official visit to Turkmenistan, attended a meeting of CIS Council of Heads of Government. The heads of government first met in a narrow format, followed by an enlarged meeting.

The event was welcomed by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov who referred to the cooperation development prospects and economic interaction.

The President of Turkmenistan said a number of transport infrastructure-related projects are being implemented in the CIS space, supposed to promote the development of trade and economic ties. Important steps are being taken in the energy sector to increase energy security in the CIS countries.

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov stressed that the Council of Heads of Government meeting is a solid platform for the launch of new joint projects.

The heads of government discussed about two dozen issues concerning the cooperation of CIS countries. In particular, they discussed the implementation of the provisions of the treaty “On Free Trade Zone” of 18 October, 2011, the concept of nuclear and radiation safety in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, as well as the pricing and competition-related situation in the market of oil and oil products.

The meeting approved a program of humanitarian cooperation-related priority actions for 2015-2016, an action plan for 2015-2017 to develop a strategy of cooperation in tourism by 2020, which is supposed to boost and increase the movement of tourists and shape a single space of tourism in the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The agenda also featured art and culture-related items, including the conservation and rehabilitation of written heritage, the management of museums, support for cinematography and theatrical art. Along with several other institutions, Matenadaran - the Yerevan Scientific Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts - got the status of basic organization in the field of conservation and restoration of written heritage.

The decision is expected to expand and strengthen humanitarian cooperation and provide training for highly-qualified art critics and culture experts.

The heads of government of CIS-member States signed a protocol on amendments to the November 20, 2009 agreement “On Rules and Procedures for Identification of Country of Origin of Goods in the Commonwealth of Independent States,” aimed at ensuring the free movement of goods within the CIS economic space.

The meeting also referred to the program, effective by the year 2015, which provides for medical-welfare support for war veterans, servicemen involved in local conflicts and their families domiciled in the CIS countries, as well as the allocation of funds for the creation and development of a united air defense system of CIS countries.

It Council decided that the next meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government will be held in Astana on May 29, 2015.