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Russia and CIS countries. Commonwealth of Independent States: who, when and why created the CIS

Commonwealth Independent States(CIS) is an international regional organization, whose mission is to regulate cooperative relations between countries that were previously part of. operates on a voluntary basis. The Commonwealth is not a supranational structure.

Creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

The CIS was created on December 8, 1991 near Brest (Belarus) in Viskuli, Belovezhskaya Pushcha. The Commonwealth was founded following the adoption of the “Agreement on the Establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States” by the heads of the BSSR and the RSFSR.

This document indicated that the USSR had ceased to exist as a subject of geopolitical reality and international law. But the parties agreed on the organization of the Commonwealth of Independent States, based on close ties between peoples, on the desire for legal democracy, and the desire to develop relations based on respect for sovereignty.

On December 10, 1991, the Supreme Councils of Ukraine and Belarus ratified this agreement. The Supreme Soviet of Russia ratified it on December 12. But in order to ratify the agreement, it was necessary to convene the Congress of People's Deputies of the RSFSR, the highest body. In the spring of 1992, the Congress of People's Deputies of the RSFSR did not adopt a resolution to vote on the ratification of the Belovezhskaya Agreement. It did not ratify this document before its dissolution. In December 1991, a meeting of five countries was held in Ashgabat: , Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and. As a result, a statement of consent to join the commonwealth was created.

On December 21, 1991, the heads of eleven former republics signed the Alma-Ata Declaration on the principles and goals of the CIS. It talked about stopping the existence of the USSR and the formation of the CIS. They also spoke about the general command of military-strategic forces, about the creation and improvement of a common economic space, about unified control over nuclear weapons.

In the first years of the organization's activity, issues of an organizational nature were mainly resolved. In December 1991, the first meeting of representatives of the Commonwealth countries was held in Minsk. It signed the “Temporary Agreement on the Council of Heads of State and the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States,” which spoke of the creation of the Council of Heads of State, the highest body of the CIS. They also signed the “Agreement of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States on the Armed Forces and Border Troops,” according to which the countries had the right to own armed forces.

The period of organizational issues was completed when in 1993 the city signed the main document of the association - the “Charter of the Commonwealth of Independent States”.

Member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

The founding states of the CIS are the countries that accepted the Agreement on the Founding of the CIS, as well as the Protocol to it before the approval of the charter. The CIS member states are countries that adopted the Charter within a year after its adoption.

The CIS includes following countries:
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- Belarus
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- - declared that it takes part in the organization as an associated member
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- - did not ratify the Charter. This means that de jure it is not a member country of the CIS, referring to the founders and participants of the organization.

As for, in 1993 it ratified the Agreement on the Creation of the CIS. But in 2009, the country officially left the commonwealth. Mongolia takes part in the CIS as an observer. Afghanistan has expressed its intentions to join the CIS.

Goals of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

The basis of the CIS organization is sovereign equality participants. That is why the participating countries are independent subjects of international law. The CIS does not have supranational powers and is not a country or state.

The main goals of the CIS include:
1. Cooperation in such areas as economic, political, cultural, humanitarian and environmental.
2. Guarantee of freedoms and human rights.
3. Mutual assistance in the legal aspect.
4. Common economic space, integration and interstate cooperation.
5. Peace and security, achieving complete disarmament.
6. Peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Joint activities of the CIS member countries:
1. Coordination of foreign policy issues.
2. Development of communications and transport.
3. Guarantee of the rights and freedoms of citizens.
4. Cooperation in the development of customs policy and common economic space.
5. Questions regarding environment and health protection.
6. Cooperation in defense, social and migration policies.
7. Cooperation on issues of combating organized crime.

Bodies of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

The highest body of the CIS is the Council of Heads of State of the CIS, which makes decisions on all issues regarding the activities of the organization. All member countries of the commonwealth are represented in the Council. The Council of Heads of State of the CIS meets twice a year.

The Council of Heads of Government of the CIS is a body that coordinates cooperation between representatives executive power member countries of the commonwealth in such areas of common interests as, for example, social or economic. The Council meets twice a year.

All decisions of the Councils are adopted by consensus. The heads of both Councils lead in turn in alphabetical order of the names of the countries of the commonwealth.

Other CIS bodies include:
- Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS
- Council of Defense Ministers of the CIS
- Council of Heads of Security Agencies and special services CIS member states
- Council of Ministers of Internal Affairs of the CIS member states
- Financial and Banking Council
- CIS Statistical Committee
- Council of the United Armed Forces of the CIS
- Economic Council of the CIS
- Council of Commanders of the CIS Border Troops
- Interstate Bank
- Anti-Terrorism Center of the CIS Member States
- Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS
- Human Rights Commission
- Economic

The capital is the most important city of the state, where the entire life of the country is concentrated. The highest authorities are located here state power, central institutions and departments.

Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is located on the western coast of the Caspian Sea and is one of the largest cities in Azerbaijan. In the center of Baku there is Old city, surrounded by fortress walls. It is very picturesque thanks to the labyrinth of narrow streets and ancient buildings, some of which date back to the 11th century. Modern Baku stretches far beyond the Old City, its new buildings rising on the hills along the Gulf of Baku. The city is an important cultural and educational center, where the basis of the economy is oil production and refining.

Yerevan is the capital of Armenia. In Russian transcription until 1936 - “Erivan”. Located on the left bank (along the Araks River) part of the Ararat Valley. Altitude: from 900 to 1300 m, part of the city is located on a volcanic plateau north of the Ararat Valley. In May 1918, Erivan became the capital of the Republic of Armenia. At the beginning of December 1920, Erivan was occupied by the Red Army; On February 18, 1921, as a result of a nationwide uprising, Soviet power was overthrown, but on April 2, the Red Army re-entered Yerevan, where Soviet power was established for 70 years.

Minsk is the capital of the Republic of Belarus (since 1919), the administrative center of the Minsk region and the Minsk region (while not being part of them), a hero city. The largest transport hub, political, economic, cultural and scientific center of the country. The city is located near the geographical center of the country and stands on the Svisloch River.

Astana (from Kazakh Astana - “capital”) is the capital of Kazakhstan with a population (as of February 1, 2008) of 604.8 thousand inhabitants (the second largest in the republic after Almaty). On behalf of the akim, in the period from November 5 - December 5, 2007. A recount of the population of Astana was carried out; according to preliminary data, the city’s population amounted to over 700 thousand people.

Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan and The largest city countries. It constitutes a special administrative unit. Population - 906 thousand inhabitants (2007). Unlike the southern regions of the republic high percent Russians and Russian speakers. The city is located in the north of the Kyrgyz Republic, in the Chu Valley, at the foothills of the Tien Shan, 40 km north of the Kyrgyz ridge, 25 km from the border with Kazakhstan.

Chisinau is the capital of the Republic of Moldova. The largest city in Moldova, its economic and Cultural Center, located in the center of the country on the Byk River. Chisinau has a special status in the administrative division of Moldova - it is a municipality. The municipality of Chisinau includes: the municipality of Chisinau itself, 6 cities (Singera, Durlesti, Vatra, Codru, Vadul lui Voda, Cricova) and 25 settlements, united into 13 communes (villages). Chisinau was first mentioned in a charter of 1436. It received city status in 1818 shortly after joining Russian Empire. The population of the city with its suburbs as of 2008 is more than 785 thousand inhabitants.

Moscow is the capital Russian Federation, a city of federal significance, the administrative center of Central federal district and Moscow region, hero city. The largest city in Russia and Europe by population, the most important transport hub, as well as the political, economic, cultural and scientific center of the country. The city is served by international airports Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, 9 railway stations, 3 river ports (there are exits to the seas of the Atlantic and North basins Arctic Oceans). The metro has been operating in the capital since 1935.

Dushanbe is the capital of Tajikistan, the largest city, the political, cultural and economic center of the country. The population is 661.1 thousand people. Ethnic composition: Tajiks - 73.4%, Uzbeks - 20.1%, Russians - 5.1%, others - 2.4%. Dushanbe is located at 38° northern latitude and 68° east longitude at an altitude of about 800 m above sea level in the densely populated Gissar valley. In Dushanbe there is a pronounced continental climate, with dry and hot summers and wet, cool winters.

Ashgabat, previously also Ashgabat and Poltoratsk - the capital of Turkmenistan, a separate administrative unit. With the declaration of independence, the authorities of Turkmenistan carried out a massive campaign of renaming and “Turkmenization” of the names of settlements. In this regard, in the Russian-language media of Turkmenistan (including on websites), the capital of Turkmenistan is called Ashgabat, since it is this form that most closely matches the original Turkmen name. The name of the city translated from Persian means “City of Love”.

Tashkent (Uzbek Toshkent, Toshkent) is the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the largest city in the country. Since the declaration of independence, most of the Russian-speaking population of Tashkent has emigrated to the Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine, the Federal Republic of Germany, Israel, Australia, the United States of America, Canada, and other countries. European Union, Republic of South Africa and others.

Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine, a hero city. Located on the Dnieper River. The city consists of 10 districts on the right and left banks of the Dnieper. Approved by the City Council " General plan development of Kyiv until 2020" provides for the expansion of the city, which will include the districts of the Kiev region: Baryshevsky, Borodyansky, Brovarsky, Vasylkivsky, Vyshgorodsky, Kiev-Svyatoshinsky, Makarovsky, Fastovsky, as well as a number of satellite cities, including Berezan, Boryspil, Brovary , Vasilkov, Vishnevoe, Irpen, Fastov.

CIS - Commonwealth of Independent States - an abbreviation of the name of the new association of former Soviet republics of the USSR, which became independent states after the collapse in 1991 Soviet Union

The formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) occurred on December 8, 1991 as a result of the signing of a corresponding agreement in Viskuli (Brest region, Belarus) by the heads of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus

List of CIS member countries (2016)

Azerbaijan
Armenia
Belarus
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Moldova
Russia
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan

Members of the CIS are those states that, within 1 year (from January 22, 1993 to January 22, 1994), assumed the obligations arising from the Charter adopted on January 22, 1993 by the Council of Heads of State. Ukraine and Turkmenistan have not signed the Charter

In addition, in the CIS Charter there is the concept of a founding state of the CIS. The founding state of the CIS is considered to be the state whose parliament ratified the Agreement on the Creation of the CIS dated December 8, 1991 and the Protocol to this Agreement dated December 21, 1991. Turkmenistan has ratified these documents. Ukraine has only ratified the Agreement. Thus, Ukraine and Turkmenistan are founders of the CIS, but not its members

The protocol of December 21, 1991 was not ratified by the parliaments of Russia and Ukraine, and on March 5, 2003, the State Duma committee Federal Assembly The Russian Federation on CIS Affairs came to the conclusion that the Russian Federation is de jure not a founding state of the CIS and a member state

History of the creation of the CIS

1991, December 8 - the heads of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus Kravchuk, Yeltsin and Shushkevich signed an agreement on the creation of the CIS (Beloveshsky Agreement)
1991, December 10 - The agreement was ratified by the parliaments of Belarus and Ukraine

Ratification is giving legal force document (for example, an agreement) with its approval by the relevant authority of each of the parties. That is, ratification is the state’s agreement to comply with the terms of the treaty.

1991, December 12 - The agreement was ratified by the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation
1991, December 13 - meeting in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) of the heads of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. who expressed consent for their countries to join the CIS
1991, December 21 - in Almaty, the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine adopted the Declaration on the goals and principles of the CIS and signed the Protocol to the agreement on the creation of the CIS

Protocol
to the Agreement on the establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States, signed on December 8, 1991 in Minsk by the Republic of Belarus, the Russian Federation (RSFSR), Ukraine
The Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation (RSFSR), the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan and Ukraine on an equal basis and as High Contracting Parties form the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The Agreement on the establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States comes into force for each of the High Contracting Parties from the moment of its ratification.
Based on the Agreement on the Creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States and taking into account the reservations made during its ratification, documents regulating cooperation within the Commonwealth will be developed.
This Protocol is integral part Agreement on the creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Done in Almaty on December 21, 1991 in one copy in Azerbaijani, Armenian, Belarusian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Moldavian, Russian, Tajik, Turkmen, Uzbek and Ukrainian languages. All texts are equally valid. The original copy is kept in the archives of the Government of the Republic of Belarus, which will send a certified copy of this Protocol to the High Contracting Parties

1991, December 30 - in Minsk, at another meeting of the CIS heads of state, the highest body of the CIS was established - the Council of Heads of State
1992, October 9 - CIS TV channel “Mir” was created
1993, January 22 - the CIS Charter was adopted in Minsk
1993, March 15 - Kazakhstan was the first of the post-Soviet republics to ratify the CIS Charter
1993, December 9 - The CIS Charter was ratified by Georgia
1994, April 26 - Moldova was the last of the post-Soviet republics to ratify the CIS Charter
1999, April 2 - The CIS Executive Committee was created
2000, June 21 - The CIS Anti-Terrorism Center was created
2008, August 14 - The Georgian Parliament decided to withdraw the country from the CIS
2009, August 18 - Georgia officially ceased to be a member of the CIS

CIS goals

Economic Cooperation
Cooperation in the field of ecology
Cooperation in the field of ensuring the rights and freedoms of CIS citizens
Military cooperation

The unified command of military-strategic forces and unified control over nuclear weapons have been preserved, issues of defense and protection of external borders are being resolved jointly

Cooperation in the development of transport, communications, energy systems
Cooperation in the fight against crime
Cooperation in migration policy

Governing bodies of the CIS

Council of Heads of State of the CIS
Council of Heads of Government of the CIS
CIS Executive Committee
Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS
Council of CIS Defense Ministers
Council of Ministers of Internal Affairs of the CIS countries
Council of the United Armed Forces of the CIS Countries
Council of Commanders of Border Troops of the CIS Countries
Council of Heads of Security Agencies of the CIS Countries
Interstate economic council CIS
Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS

On October 28, 2016, a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was held in Minsk. Leader of Belarus Lukashenko: “...the critical mass of accumulated issues is causing us in Belarus to be alarmed about the prospects of...the CIS...Justified criticism has intensified in our countries due to dissatisfaction with both the pace and practical results of the development of integration. We are hearing alarming signals from business... it is worth taking a critical look at the legal framework of the CIS. Over the past 25 years, we have signed an incredible amount of decisions, treaties and agreements. Are they all relevant and necessary today? I really want that during Russia’s chairmanship in 2017 we will be able to get clear answers: in the name of what has integration been carried out all these years and what goal is ultimately being pursued?”

a political union (interstate association) of most countries that, until 1991, were republics within the USSR.

CIS members: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia (until August 2009), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. Turkmenistan, which left the CIS as a full member in August 2005, has the status of an associate observer member.

Mongolia participates as an observer in a number of CIS structures (coordinating committees of the presidential offices on statistics, railways, etc.). The agreement on the formation of the CIS (also known as the “Belovezhskaya Agreement”) was signed on December 8, 1991 at the Viskuli residence near Brest (Belarus) by the highest leaders of Russia (B. Yeltsin), Belarus (S. Shushkevich) and Ukraine (L. Kravchuk) .

“The Commonwealth of Independent States, consisting of the Republic of Belarus, the RSFSR, and Ukraine,” said the statement by the leaders of the three countries, “is open to accession by all member states of the USSR, as well as for other states that share the goals and principles of this agreement.”

The appeal proclaimed that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as a subject of international law would cease to exist.

On December 21, at a meeting in Almaty, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan joined the Agreement, adopting the Declaration on the Goals and Principles of the CIS, which stated the demise of the USSR and the need to resolve related problems.

In October 1993, Georgia became a full member of the CIS (on August 14, 2008, the Georgian parliament adopted a unanimous decision on Georgia’s withdrawal from the organization; on October 9, 2008, the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS countries adopted a formal decision to terminate Georgia’s membership in the Commonwealth from August 2009 G.).

On January 22, 1993, the CIS Charter was adopted, providing for the following areas of joint activity of states: ensuring human rights and fundamental freedoms; coordination of foreign policy activities; cooperation in the formation and development of a common economic space, pan-European and Eurasian markets, customs policy; cooperation in the development of transport and communication systems; health and environmental protection; issues of social and migration policy; fight against organized crime; cooperation in the field of defense policy and protection of external borders (Article 4 of the Charter).

The Charter was not ratified by Ukraine, Turkmenistan and Moldova, which formally does not allow them to be considered members of the Commonwealth, but Ukraine took an active part in the CIS.

The Commonwealth is not a state and does not have supranational powers (Article 1 of the Charter), but rather is a type of “soft” confederation. According to the initiators of its proclamation, the Commonwealth became an option for a peaceful “divorce” of the former republics of the Soviet Union and prevented the development of events according to the bloody “Yugoslav scenario”.

On the intention to enter the CIS in different years declared by both unrecognized self-proclaimed republics and independent states (in 1991, 1992, 1996, 2006 - Abkhazia, in 1993 - Nagorno-Karabakh, in 1991–94, 2006 - Transnistria, in 1992, 1994 - Crimea, February 1995

Republic of Serbian Krajina in Croatia, in April 1999 - Yugoslavia). However, such declarations had no practical continuation.

The highest authority of the CIS is the annual meeting of the heads of participating countries. To resolve issues economic interaction Meetings of the heads of government of the CIS countries are regularly convened. Parliamentary Assembly The CIS (headquartered in St. Petersburg) unites the efforts of the legislative bodies of its member states in creating legal mechanisms for economic and political integration within the Commonwealth. Executive agency The CIS is located in the capital of Belarus, Minsk, and is headed by the CIS executive secretary, appointed by agreement of all members of the Commonwealth (since 2007 - Sergei Lebedev).

Within the CIS, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) was created, which included Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Armenia. For some time, Uzbekistan suspended its membership in this military-political union, but subsequently resumed.

One of the tools economic integration is the Eurasian Economic Union, created by a number of CIS countries. Another structure created within the CIS is the Union State of Belarus and Russia.

The 16-year experience of the existence of the Commonwealth of Independent States is still the subject of lively discussions, both in public opinion participating countries and outside the CIS.

The CIS member states still have serious territorial problems among themselves. Azerbaijan insists on the return of Nagorno-Karabakh, illegally, from its point of view, occupied by Armenia; Moldova still has serious problems with Transnistria, which has declared its independence.

The fact that the Commonwealth does not have real mechanisms for resolving territorial conflicts convinces opponents of the CIS of its ineffectiveness. On the other hand, it was the CIS that became the institution that was able to stop the bloodshed in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, when he brought peacekeeping forces there.

Thanks to the Commonwealth, regular contacts between heads of state, heads of government, parliamentarians, and the military, it was largely possible to preserve and even restore the economic and transport ties that existed during the USSR, and to coordinate positions in energy, industrial and agricultural policy, and in the social and cultural spheres.

Russia and Kazakhstan play a significant role in integration processes in the CIS countries. It was they who initiated the creation of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Eurasian Bank.

In addition to official meetings of the heads of the CIS countries, alternately held in the capitals of the states presiding over the Commonwealth (the last one was held in Dushanbe in 2007), informal summits of the leaders of the republics are also practiced. On February 22, 2008, at the initiative of Russian President V. Putin, such a meeting took place in Moscow.

Source: Great Current Political Encyclopedia

CIS COUNTRIES

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) - regional international organization(international treaty), designed to regulate cooperative relations between countries that were previously part of the USSR. The CIS is not a supranational entity and operates on a voluntary basis.

The CIS includes the following countries:
1. Azerbaijan
2. Armenia
3. Belarus
4. Kazakhstan
5. Kyrgyzstan
6. Moldova
7. Russia
8.Tajikistan
9. Uzbekistan
10.Ukraine

Citizens from countries that are part of the CIS use a simplified procedure for obtaining a “Work Permit” on the territory of the Russian Federation. To carry out labor activities, these citizens only need to obtain a “Work Permit” - to work in commercial organizations, or Patent - for work with private individuals.
To the employer, upon hiring foreign citizens to work from the CIS countries, there is no need to obtain a “Permit to attract and use foreign workers,” which greatly simplifies the procedure for hiring these citizens.

CIS - GENERAL INFORMATION

Agreement establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States signed on December 8, 1991 by the leaders of the Republic of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. The parties to the Agreement stated that the USSR as a subject of international law and a geopolitical reality ceases to exist. The Contracting Parties formed the Commonwealth of Independent States. The Agreement formulates the main directions and principles of cooperation, defines the scope of joint activities, implemented on an equal basis through the common coordinating institutions of the Commonwealth.

The Contracting Parties have guaranteed the implementation international obligations, arising for them from treaties and agreements of the former USSR. The protocol to the agreement on the creation of the CIS was signed by the heads of eleven states on December 21, 1991 in Almaty. It is an integral part of the Agreement on the Creation of the Commonwealth, signed on December 8, 1991, and determines that all these eleven countries form the CIS on an equal basis (Georgia joined the Commonwealth of Independent States in December 1993 in accordance with the Decision of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS).

Alma-Ata Declaration signed on December 21, 1991 by the leaders of eleven states. The document notes commitment to the goals and principles of the Agreement on the establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and states that the interaction of the Commonwealth participants will be carried out on the principle of equality through coordinating institutions formed on a parity basis. The commitment to cooperation in the creation and development of a common economic space, pan-European and Eurasian markets was confirmed. The member states of the Commonwealth guaranteed, in accordance with their constitutional procedures, the fulfillment of international obligations arising from treaties and agreements former USSR.

Charter of the Commonwealth of Independent States adopted by the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth on January 22, 1993 in Minsk. The Charter of the Commonwealth defines the conditions for membership of states in the CIS, formulates the goals and principles of interstate cooperation, interaction in economic, social and legal areas, interparliamentary relations, the sovereign equality of all its members is enshrined. It is emphasized that the CIS states are independent and equal subjects of international law. A state that shares the goals and principles of the Commonwealth and has accepted the obligations contained in the CIS Charter by joining it with the consent of all member states can become a member of the Commonwealth.

The member states of the Commonwealth build their relationships in accordance with the principles of respect for sovereignty and independence, inviolability state borders, territorial integrity states, non-use of force or threat of force, non-interference in internal affairs, the supremacy of international law in interstate relations, consideration of the interests of each other and the Commonwealth as a whole.

Rules of procedure of the Council of Heads of State and the Council of Heads of Government The Commonwealth of Independent States was approved by the Decision of the Council of Heads of State on May 17, 1996. The decision was signed by the presidents of all CIS member states. The rules of procedure determine the procedure for the work of the Council of Heads of State and the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth, the organization of their meetings, as well as the procedure for the preparation and adoption of documents submitted for their consideration.

Symbols of the Commonwealth of Independent States. On January 19, 1996, the heads of state adopted the Decision on the Regulations on the flag of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Decision on the Regulations on the emblem of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

CIS. Beautiful emblem

CIS - Commonwealth of Independent States - an abbreviation of the name of the new association of former union republics of the USSR, which became independent states after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991

List of CIS member countries (2016)

Azerbaijan
Armenia
Belarus
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Moldova
Russia
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan

In addition, in the CIS Charter there is the concept of a founding state of the CIS.

The founding state of the CIS is considered to be the state whose parliament ratified the Agreement on the Creation of the CIS dated December 8, 1991 and the Protocol to this Agreement dated December 21, 1991. Turkmenistan has ratified these documents. Ukraine has only ratified the Agreement. Thus, Ukraine and Turkmenistan are founders of the CIS, but not its members

The protocol of December 21, 1991 was also not ratified by the parliaments of Russia and Ukraine, and on March 5, 2003, the State Duma Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on CIS Affairs came to the conclusion that the Russian Federation is de jure not a founding state of the CIS and a member state

All this confirms the well-known truth - the law that the drawbar, where you turn, comes out there

History of the creation of the CIS

1991, December 8 - the heads of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus Kravchuk, Yeltsin and Shushkevich signed an agreement on the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the creation of the CIS (Beloveshsky Agreement)
1991, December 10 - The agreement was ratified by the parliaments of Belarus and Ukraine

Ratification is the giving of legal force to a document (for example, a contract) by approval by the appropriate authority of each of the parties. That is, ratification is the state’s agreement to comply with the terms of the treaty.

1991, December 12 - The agreement was ratified by the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation
1991, December 13 - meeting in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) of the heads of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. who expressed consent for their countries to join the CIS
1991, December 21 - in Almaty, the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine adopted the Declaration on the goals and principles of the CIS and signed the Protocol to the agreement on the creation of the CIS

Protocol
to the Agreement on the establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States, signed on December 8, 1991 in Minsk by the Republic of Belarus, the Russian Federation (RSFSR), Ukraine
The Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation (RSFSR), the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan and Ukraine on an equal basis and as High Contracting Parties form the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The Agreement on the establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States comes into force for each of the High Contracting Parties from the moment of its ratification.
Based on the Agreement on the Creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States and taking into account the reservations made during its ratification, documents regulating cooperation within the Commonwealth will be developed.
This Protocol is an integral part of the Agreement on the establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Done in Almaty on December 21, 1991 in one copy in Azerbaijani, Armenian, Belarusian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Moldavian, Russian, Tajik, Turkmen, Uzbek and Ukrainian languages. All texts are equally valid. The original copy is kept in the archives of the Government of the Republic of Belarus, which will send a certified copy of this Protocol to the High Contracting Parties

1991, December 30 - in Minsk, at another meeting of the CIS heads of state, the highest body of the CIS was established - the Council of Heads of State
1992, October 9 - CIS TV channel “Mir” was created
1993, January 22 - the CIS Charter was adopted in Minsk
1993, March 15 - Kazakhstan was the first of the post-Soviet republics to ratify the CIS Charter
1993, December 9 - The CIS Charter was ratified by Georgia
1994, April 26 - Moldova was the last of the post-Soviet republics to ratify the CIS Charter
1999, April 2 - The CIS Executive Committee was created
2000, June 21 - The CIS Anti-Terrorism Center was created
2008, August 14 - The Georgian Parliament decided to withdraw the country from the CIS
2009, August 18 - Georgia officially ceased to be a member of the CIS

CIS goals

Economic Cooperation
Cooperation in the field of ecology
Cooperation in the field of ensuring the rights and freedoms of CIS citizens
Military cooperation

The unified command of military-strategic forces and unified control over nuclear weapons have been preserved, issues of defense and protection of external borders are being resolved jointly

Cooperation in the development of transport, communications, energy systems
Cooperation in the fight against crime
Cooperation in migration policy

Governing bodies of the CIS

Council of Heads of State of the CIS
Council of Heads of Government of the CIS
CIS Executive Committee
Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS
Council of CIS Defense Ministers
Council of Ministers of Internal Affairs of the CIS countries
Council of the United Armed Forces of the CIS Countries
Council of Commanders of Border Troops of the CIS Countries
Council of Heads of Security Agencies of the CIS Countries
Interstate Economic Council of the CIS
Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS

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At the beginning of the holiday season, the question of choosing a destination for summer holiday occupies many residents of Russia. In this regard, the question is: “Is Abkhazia part of Russia?” is asked more and more often.

Background

During the Soviet Union, Abkhazia was part of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. But the local population was unhappy with this, periodically demanding separation from Georgia.

At the end of the 80s of the last century, this discontent escalated into an armed conflict, during which people died in Sukhumi.

On August 25, 1990, Abkhazia declared independence. In response, Georgia sent troops into the territory of the republic. Russia became a mediator between the warring parties. In 1994, a ceasefire agreement was signed, and peacekeeping troops controlled the situation.

Over the years, Georgia has tried more than once to regain lost territory. But the Abkhaz Republic remained independent.

Abkhazia on the map

Today's situation

Today the Republic of Abkhazia is unrecognized state. Its independence is recognized by 5 UN member countries. These include: Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru and Tuvalu.

Map of the Republic of Abkhazia

Many Russians are confident that Abkhazia is part of Russia. Their confidence is based on several facts:

You can enter there using an internal passport.
Russians do not need visas to enter.
90% of Abkhazians are citizens of the Russian Federation.
The currency of the republic is the Russian ruble.

However, Abkhazia is a separate state. Its statehood is confirmed by its own coat of arms, flag and anthem, as well as the existence of border controls between neighboring countries.

How to cross the border

The checkpoint for crossing the interstate border is located on the Psou River, not far from Adler. Russian citizens do not need a visa to enter. There are no restrictions on the time they can stay in the country.

When crossing the Russian-Abkhazian border, a Russian citizen presents one of the following documents:

Border crossing rules

General passport.
International passport.
Diplomatic or service passport.
Sailor's passport.

Citizens serving in Russian army, present command permission and a vacation certificate (in which Abkhazia is indicated as the place of arrival).

To travel with children, you need a birth certificate with proof of citizenship or a passport (for children over 14 years old). A minor citizen traveling without parents must have permission to leave the Russian Federation from at least one of the parents, which indicates the timing and direction of the trip, certified by a notary. When a child travels with one of the parents, consent to travel from the other is not required.

Tourists wishing to enter the country by car should have a license and registration certificate for the car. If the car belongs to another person, the driver must have general power of attorney, notarized and permitting travel outside the Russian Federation.

Georgian authorities consider Abkhazia to be Georgian territory occupied by Russia. Therefore, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not recommend that citizens of the Russian Federation who have a mark on crossing the Abkhaz border in their international passport use this document to travel to Georgia.

In November 2014, the presidents of the Abkhaz Republic and Russia signed the Treaty on Alliance and Strategic Partnership. Paragraph 2 of Article 4 of this document states that Russia will help strengthen international connections neighboring republic and contribute to the official recognition of its independence by other countries. This indicates that the small Caucasian republic will not become part of the Russian Federation, remaining an independent state.

Characteristics of the CIS

The organization's borders include the following states:

Russia.
Central Asian: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan.
Azerbaijan.
Armenia.

The richest countries are Russia, Azerbaijan,.

In some states it is impossible to clarify the number of permanent residents, since population censuses are not conducted due to poverty and constant economic crises. Georgia, Ukraine and the Baltic countries are currently not part of the CIS.

Overview of CIS countries by population:

Russia - 146.8 million people.
Tajikistan - almost 8.7 million people.
- 32.2 million people.
Azerbaijan - 9.6 million people.
Armenia - almost 3 million people.
Belarus - almost 9.5 million people.
Kazakhstan - 6.5 million people.
Kyrgyzstan - 6 million people.
Moldova - 2.9 million people.
Turkmenistan - about 5 million people.

The countries that are part of the CIS have different statuses. Thus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Russia are full members. Turkmenistan received the status of an associate member because it plans to develop only bilateral relations with the CIS and Baltic countries. Moldova did not sign the Charter and did not carry out the ratification process.

Such subtleties regarding membership do not affect the activities of the organization.

Neighboring states and associations are trying to establish ties with the CIS countries: the EU, ASEAN, China, Korea, India. In order for relations between states to be carried out correctly, a number of institutions were created, which include:

Council of Heads of State.
Council of Heads of Government.
Interparliamentary Assembly.
Economic court.
Executive committee.

Similar coordination bodies exist under the ministries of sectoral areas of the economy. This allows coordination in the integration sphere, agriculture, industry, production, construction. The general bodies of industry cooperation pay a lot of attention to the customs and financial spheres, the fight against crime, energy, and migration problems.

All decisions on certain issues are made through consensus, on procedural issues - by majority vote. Decision is binding only for those states that have signed the documents. This principle allows the CIS member countries to pursue selective policies within the community and not limit the implementation of their own foreign policy.

Stages of activity

The list of Commonwealth countries below has remained stable for 27 years. The termination of the participation of Georgia and Ukraine did not shake the foundations of the organization, which since 1991 has been constantly in the process of development. Such stability in the CIS countries is associated with the gradual development of the Commonwealth.

There are three large stages in the organization’s activities, the characteristics of which are given below:

1991–1993 - division of territories, formation of borders and national armies, introduction of their own currencies. At the same time, the Collective Security Treaty Organization was created, which deals with military cooperation between Central Asia, Russia and other former republics of the Soviet Union.
1993–1997 - a search took place for tools and mechanisms that should help in the interstate development of relations between Russia and the CIS countries. This was necessary in order to unify the economy and political development in states that differed in territory size, development of transport and railways, other communications, currency systems. During this period, it was possible to sign a number of interstate agreements that were responsible for integration in the customs, payment, trade spheres, formation common market capital, services, work force. Economic Union it was never possible to form because the signed documents were not executed. The countries cooperated with other states and were not interested in developing relations within the CIS.
Since 1997, the formation of a free trade zone has been underway, and the process of deep reform of the Commonwealth has begun. As a result of the reform, the CIS bodies were reorganized, their staff was reduced, their powers were changed, and an Economic Council was created.

European and Asian countries, united within the organization during 1991–2019, demonstrated a desire for dialogue, constant discussion, and improving the quality of life of the population.

A huge amount of work has been done to strengthen the internal structure and adapt countries to a single currency, customs, tax legislation, and create a contractual framework.

Appearance Customs Union and the formation of the Free Trade Zone, the Eurasian space, helped remove barriers to the movement of goods, services, improve transport infrastructure and roads in the CIS countries, resolve migration issues and problems associated with the redistribution of the legacy of the former USSR.

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