Ashgabat, September 14, 2026 – The Europe Today: The 111th meeting of the Economic Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was held at the Ýyldyz Hotel in Ashgabat, bringing together senior officials from CIS member states to discuss ways to strengthen economic cooperation and regional connectivity.
The meeting was organized within the framework of Turkmenistan’s 2026 CIS Chairmanship Concept and attended by CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev, senior representatives of the CIS Executive Committee, heads of relevant ministries and agencies of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of the respective diplomatic missions.
The meeting initially convened in a restricted format, during which participants discussed key issues concerning economic partnership among CIS member states. The heads of delegations emphasized the importance of the CIS as an effective multilateral platform for developing cooperation based on national interests and shared development priorities.
Participants stressed the need to make full use of the region’s economic potential to promote sustainable growth and enhance competitiveness.
A key topic was the Plan of Measures for Implementing the Strategy for Ensuring Transport Security in CIS Member States during International Transportation for 2026–2030. Participants highlighted the importance attached by member states to strengthening cooperation in the transport sector and confirmed their readiness to fully utilize its potential, including through more effective joint use of the International North-South Transport Corridor.
The participants also considered preparations for the next meeting of the CIS Economic Council.
The meeting subsequently continued in an expanded format, where participants underscored that cooperation within the CIS is acquiring new substance and contributing to the development of constructive relations based on common interests, as well as strengthening ties of friendship and good-neighborliness among member states.
In this context, participants noted that Turkmenistan’s CIS chairmanship in 2026 is aimed at comprehensively expanding and intensifying cooperation within the Commonwealth. A number of important meetings and conferences have already been held under the chairmanship, with additional major events planned.
Particular attention was given to the upcoming meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State, scheduled to take place in October in the Avaza National Tourist Zone of Turkmenistan.
Economic cooperation was identified as a key area for pooling the efforts and capabilities of CIS member states. The meeting considered proposals to increase mutual trade, strengthen the CIS’s position in Eurasia, expand long-term participation in major continental, regional and international projects, and develop modern transport and energy infrastructure as well as industrial and technological value chains.
The CIS Strategy for Economic Development through 2030 remains the principal framework guiding these efforts.
Participants also discussed cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere, including continuity in medical education, prevention of infectious diseases, health and sanatorium-resort services, and the development of archival activities.
Addressing the meeting, CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev expressed, on behalf of the participants and the CIS Executive Committee, sincere gratitude to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for creating favorable conditions for productive cooperation and for the hospitality extended to the participants.
Lebedev also commended the high organizational standards of the 111th meeting of the CIS Economic Council.
The CIS Secretary General conveyed his congratulations on the forthcoming 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence and wished the country success in hosting the upcoming meeting of the Halk Maslahaty ahead of the national anniversary.
Following the meeting, a number of documents were signed and approved aimed at further developing strategic cooperation across various areas of socio-economic activity among CIS member states.
The participants concluded the meeting by expressing their appreciation to the Turkmen side for the high level of organization and its significant contribution to strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation within the Commonwealth.
