Cooperation with CIS Countries Absolute Priority of Russia’s Foreign Policy

Cooperation with CIS countries is absolute priority of Russia’s foreign policy, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a live news conference today. In his words, in the times of the USSR many peoples lived within one country, which could not leave the national economy untouched. “Thus we should avail ourselves with evident competition advantages as compared with other partners,” Putin said. He also underscored that it is necessary to move not only towards coordination, but also integration and “processes of that type are underway.” Specifically, the state leader reminded of the existence of the United Economic Space, Eurasian Economic Community, Collective Security Treaty Organization. At that Putin noted that speaking «of imperialistic trends and return to the USSR is absolutely groundless.»