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'{{Short description|Post-Soviet Union regional intergovernmental organization}} {{Distinguish|Commonwealth of Nations}} {{EngvarB|date=January 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Infobox geopolitical organization | conventional_long_name = Commonwealth of<br />Independent States | native_name = {{native name|ru|Содружество Независимых Государств|italics=no}}<br />{{transliteration|ru|Sodruzhestvo Nezavisimykh Gosudarstv}} | common_name = Commonwealth of Independent States | linking_name = the Commonwealth of Independent States | image_flag = Flag of the CIS.svg | image_symbol = Emblem of CIS.svg | symbol_type = Emblem | image_map = CIS (orthographic projection, only Crimea disputed).svg | map_width = 250px | map_caption = {{left|{{legend2|#346733|Member states}}}} {{right|{{legend2|#46C843|Disputed territory<ref>{{cite book|title=The Territories of the Russian Federation 2020|publisher=[[Routledge]]|author=[[Taylor & Francis]]|date=2020|section=Republic of Crimea|section-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3xbUDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT161|isbn=978-1-003-00706-7|quote=Note: The territories of the Crimean peninsula, comprising Sevastopol City and the Republic of Crimea, remained internationally recognised as constituting part of Ukraine, following their annexation by Russia in March 2014.}}</ref>}}}}<br />{{left|{{legend2|#C5DDBD|Associate state}}}} | admin_center = {{hlist|[[Minsk]]|[[Moscow]]}} | admin_center_type = Administrative | largest_city = [[Moscow]] | official_languages = [[Russian language|Russian]] | regional_languages = {{hlist|[[Belarusian language|Belarusian]]|[[Uzbek language|Uzbek]]|[[Kazakh language|Kazakh]]|[[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]|[[Romanian language|Romanian]]|[[Kyrgyz language|Kyrgyz]]|[[Tajik language|Tajik]]|[[Armenian language|Armenian]]|[[Turkmen language|Turkmen]]}} | languages_type = Minority languages | languages = {{hlist |[[Abkhaz language|Abkhaz]]|[[Buryat language|Buryat]]|[[Finnish language|Finnish]]|[[German language|Volga German]]|[[Korean language|Korean]]|[[Ossetian language|Ossetian]]|[[Tatar language|Tatar]]|[[Languages of the Soviet Union|Others]]}} | org_type = [[Intergovernmental organization|Intergovernmental]] | leader_title1 = Executive-Secretary | leader_name1 = [[Sergey Lebedev (politician)|Sergey Lebedev]] | leader_title2 = Chairperson | leader_name2 = [[Valentina Matviyenko]] | leader_title3 = Chair | leader_name3 = {{flag|Kazakhstan}} | legislature = [[Interparliamentary Assembly]]<ref name="mfa.gov.by">{{cite web|url=http://mfa.gov.by/en/organizations/membership/list/c2bd4cebdf6bd9f9.html|title=Commonwealth of Independent States – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus|website=mfa.gov.by|access-date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823211300/http://mfa.gov.by/en/organizations/membership/list/c2bd4cebdf6bd9f9.html|archive-date=23 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> | membership = '''9 member states''' ---- {{ubl |{{ARM}} |{{AZE}} |{{BLR}} |{{KAZ}} |{{KGZ}} |{{MDA}} |{{RUS}} |{{TJK}} |{{UZB}} }}{{parabr}}'''1 associate state''' ---- {{ubl| {{TKM}} }}{{parabr}}'''1 observer state''' ---- {{ubl| {{MNG}}<ref name=Mongolia>{{cite web |url = http://www.obozrevatel.com/news/2008/8/19/254266.htm |title = Грузия проиграла, а СНГ будет жить вечно! |publisher = Обозреватель |date = 19 August 2008 |access-date = 14 January 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110525202715/http://www.obozrevatel.com/news/2008/8/19/254266.htm |archive-date = 25 May 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> }} | established_event1 = {{nowrap|[[Belavezha Accords]]}} | established_date1 = 8 December 1991 | established_event2 = [[Alma-Ata Protocol]] | established_date2 = 21 December 1991 | established_event3 = [[CIS Charter|Charter adopted]] | established_date3 = 22 January 1993 | established_event4 = [[CIS Free Trade Area|Free Trade Area]] | established_date4 = 20 September 2012 | area_km2 = 20,368,759<ref name="Stat2016">Corresponds to the terrestrial surface. Including the [[Exclusive Economic Zones]] of each member state, the total area is 28 509 317 km².</ref> | population_estimate = {{increase}} 236,446,000 {{small|(excluding Crimea)}} | population_density_km2 = 11.77 | population_estimate_year = 2018 | GDP_PPP = $5.378 trillion | GDP_PPP_year = 2018 | GDP_PPP_per_capita = $22,745 | GDP_nominal = $1.828 trillion | GDP_nominal_year = 2020 | GDP_nominal_per_capita = $7,732 | HDI_year = 2017 | HDI = 0.740 | currency = ''No common currency''^a{{parabr}}'''9 member states''' ---- {{ubl |[[Armenian dram]] (֏) |[[Azerbaijani manat]] (₼) |[[Belarusian ruble]] (Br) |[[Kazakhstani tenge]] (₸) |[[Kyrgyzstani som]] (⃀) |[[Moldovan leu]] (L) |[[Russian ruble]] (₽) |[[Tajikistani somoni]] (SM) |[[Uzbekistani som]] (So'm) }}{{parabr}}'''1 associate state''' ---- {{ubl| {{nowrap|[[Turkmenistani manat]] (m)}}}} | utc_offset = [[UTC+2|+2]] to [[UTC+12|+12]] | drives_on = right | cctld = .ru, .by, .am, .kz, .kg, .az, .md, .tj, .uz | footnotes = ^a [[Soviet ruble]] used from 1991 to 1994 | official_website = {{URL|https://e-cis.info/}} }} The '''Commonwealth of Independent States''' ('''CIS'''){{efn|{{lang-ru|Содружество Независимых Государств, СНГ|translit=Sodruzhestvo Nezavisimykh Gosudarstv, SNG}}}} is a [[regional organization|regional intergovernmental organization]] in [[Eastern Europe]] and [[Asia]]. It was formed following the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] in 1991. It covers an area of {{cvt|20,368,759|km2}} and has an estimated population of 239,796,010. The CIS encourages cooperation in economic, political and military affairs and has certain powers relating to the coordination of trade, finance, lawmaking, and security. It has also promoted cooperation on cross-border crime prevention. The CIS has its origins with the [[Russian Empire]], which was replaced in 1917 by the [[Russian Republic]] after the [[February Revolution]] earlier that year. Following the [[October Revolution]], the [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic]] became the leading republic in the [[Soviet Union]] (USSR) upon its creation with the 1922 [[Treaty on the Creation of the USSR|Treaty]] and [[Declaration of the Creation of the USSR]] along with [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic|Byelorussian SSR]], [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]] and [[Transcaucasian SFSR]]. When the USSR [[August Coup|began to fall]] in 1991, the founding republics signed the [[Belavezha Accords]] on 8 December 1991, declaring that the [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|Soviet Union would cease to exist]] and proclaimed the CIS in its place. A few days later the [[Alma-Ata Protocol]] was signed, which declared that the Soviet Union was dissolved. The [[Baltic states]] ([[Estonia]], [[Latvia]] and [[Lithuania]]), which regard their membership in the Soviet Union as an [[Baltic states under Soviet rule (1944–1991)|illegal occupation]], chose not to participate. [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] withdrew its membership in 2008 following the [[Russo-Georgian War]]. [[Ukraine]] ended its participation in CIS statutory bodies in 2018, due to [[Russo-Ukrainian War]],<ref name=UAPart/> having completely completed its withdrawal from the CIS without ever being a member of it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Is Ukraine still in the CIS or not? |url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/ukrayina-dosi-v-snd-chy-ni/30969197.html |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=Радіо Свобода |language=uk}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-announces-plans-to-quit-cis-terminate-parts-of-friendship-treaty-with-russia/29161689.html|title=Ukraine Announces Plans To Quit CIS, Terminate Parts Of Russia Friendship Treaty|website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=There is no "debt" of Ukraine to the CIS — the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine|url=https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-polytics/2756290-zodnoi-zaborgovanosti-ukraini-pered-snd-ne-isnue-mzs.html|website=www.ukrinform.ua|accessdate=2022-07-08|language=uk}}</ref> Eight of the nine CIS member states participate in the [[Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area|CIS Free Trade Area]]. Three organizations originated from the CIS, namely the [[Collective Security Treaty Organization]], the [[Eurasian Economic Union]] (alongside subdivisions, the [[Eurasian Customs Union]] and the [[Eurasian Economic Space]]); and the [[Union State]]. While the first and the second are military and economic alliances, the third aims to reach a [[supranational union]] of [[Russia]] and [[Belarus]] with a common government, flag, currency and so on. ==Names in other languages== *'''Armenian:''' Անկախ պետությունների Համագործակցություն (ԱՊՀ); ''Ankakh petut’yunneri Hamagortsakts’ut’yun'' (''APH'') *'''Azerbaijani:''' ''Müstəqil Dövlətlər Birliyi'' (''MDB''), ''Мүстәгил Дөвләтләр Бирлији (''МДБ'') *'''Belarusian:''' Садружнасць Незалежных Дзяржаў (СНД), ''Sadružnasć Niezaležnych Dziaržaŭ'' (''SND'') *'''Kazakh:''' Täuelsız Memleketter Dostastyğy (TMD), ''Тәуелсіз Мемлекеттер Достастығы (ТМД)'' *'''Kyrgyz:''' Көзкарандысыз мамлекеттердин шериктештиги (КМШ), ''Közkarandısız mamleketterdin şerikteştigi'' (''KMŞ'') *'''Romanian:''' ''Comunitatea Statelor Independente'' (''CSI''), ''Комунитатеа Стателор Индепенденте'' (''КСИ'') *'''Russian:''' Содружество Независимых Государств (СНГ), ''Sodruzhestvo Nezavisimykh Gosudarstv'' (''SNG'') *'''Tajik:''' Иттиҳоди Давлатҳои Мустақил (ИДМ), ''Ittihodi Davlathoi Mustaqil'' (''IDM'') *'''Uzbek:''' Mustaqil Davlatlar Hamdoʻstligi (MDH), ''Мустақил Давлатлар Ҳамдўстлиги'' (''МДҲ'') ==History== {{main|History of Russia|Russian Empire|Russian Republic|Soviet Union|History of the Soviet Union{{!}}its history}} ===Background=== In March 1991, [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], the president of the [[Soviet Union]], proposed a federation by holding a [[1991 Soviet Union referendum|referendum]] to preserve the Union as a [[New Union Treaty|union of sovereign republics]]. The new treaty signing never happened as the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Communist Party]] hardliners staged an [[1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt|attempted coup]] in August that year. Often considered as the successors of the USSR, it is one of the largest intergovernmental organizations in Europe. ===Belavezha Accords and Alma-Ata Protocol (1991–1993)=== [[File: RIAN archive 848095 Signing the Agreement to eliminate the USSR and establish the Commonwealth of Independent States.jpg|thumb|Signing of the agreement to establish the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), 8 December 1991]] Following the events of August's failed coup, the republics of the USSR had declared their independence fearing another coup. A week after the [[1991 Ukrainian independence referendum|Ukrainian independence referendum was held]], which kept the chances of the Soviet Union staying together low, the Commonwealth of Independent States was founded in its place on 8 December 1991 by the [[Byelorussian SSR]], the [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]], and the [[Ukrainian SSR]], when the leaders of the three republics met at the [[Belovezhskaya Pushcha]] Natural Reserve, about {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of [[Brest, Belarus|Brest]] in Belarus, and signed the "Agreement Establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States", known as the [[Belavezha Accords|'' Creation Agreement'']] ({{lang-ru|Соглашение|translit=Soglasheniye}}). The CIS announced that the new organization would be open to all republics of the former Soviet Union, and to other nations sharing the same goals. The CIS charter stated that all the members were sovereign and independent nations and thereby effectively abolished the Soviet Union. On 21 December 1991, the leaders of eight additional former Soviet Republics ([[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Moldova]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Tajikistan]] and [[Uzbekistan]]) signed the [[Alma-Ata Protocol]] which can either be interpreted as expanding the CIS to these states or the proper foundation or foundation date of the CIS,<ref>Plokhy, Serhii, The Last Empire: The final days of the Soviet Union, Oneworld, London (2014), {{ISBN|9781780746463}}, pp 356 – 365</ref> thus bringing the number of participating countries to 11.<ref name="declaration">[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/belarus/by_appnc.html Alma-Ata Declaration] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121213075812/lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/belarus/by_appnc.html |date=13 December 2012 }}: 11 countries accede to the CIS, 21 December 1991 ('''English translation'''). '''Russian''' text here [https://web.archive.org/web/20060103164158/http://www.cis.minsk.by/main.aspx?uid=178]</ref> [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] joined two years later, in December 1993.<ref name=ratification/> At this point, 12 of the 15 former Soviet Republics participated in the CIS. The three [[Baltic states]] did not, reflecting their governments' and people's view that the [[Soviet occupation of the Baltic states (1940)|post-1940 Soviet occupation]] of their territory was illegitimate. The CIS and Soviet Union also legally co-existed briefly with each other until 26 December 1991, when the [[Soviet of the Republics]] formally dissolved the Soviet Union. This was followed by Ivan Korotchenya becoming Executive Secretary of the CIS on the same day.<ref name="agreement">[http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20060720175013/http://www.therussiasite.org/legal/laws/CISagreement.html Agreement on the Establishment of the CIS]: 3 founding countries, 8 December 1991 ('''unofficial English translation'''). '''Russian''' text here [https://web.archive.org/web/20060721024111/http://cis.minsk.by/main.aspx?uid=176]</ref> After the end of the dissolution process of the Soviet Union, Russia and the Central Asian republics were weakened economically and faced declines in [[GDP]]. [[Post-Soviet states]] underwent economic reforms and [[privatisation]].<ref group=journal>{{cite web|title=Russian Federation|url=http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/7/50/2452793.pdf|access-date=7 July 2014|publisher=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226203432/http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/7/50/2452793.pdf|archive-date=26 February 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Russia Economic Conditions in Mid-1996|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+ru0119)|publisher=Library of Congress|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726090900/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd%2Fcstdy%3A%40field%28DOCID+ru0119%29|archive-date=26 July 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The process of Eurasian integration began immediately after the break-up of the Soviet Union to salvage economic ties with Post-Soviet republics.<ref name="eurasiancommission.org" group=journal>{{cite web|title=Eurasian economic integration: figures and facts|url=http://www.eurasiancommission.org/en/Documents/broshura26_ENGL_2014.pdf|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183140/http://www.eurasiancommission.org/en/Documents/broshura26_ENGL_2014.pdf|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> ===CIS Charter (1993 to present)=== [[File: CIS Summit 20-22 June 2000-1.jpg|thumb|The 20–22 June 2000 CIS Summit]] On 22 January 1993, the Charter (Statutes) of the CIS were signed, setting up the different institutions of the CIS, their functions, the rules and statutes of the CIS. The Charter also defined that all countries have ratified the Agreement on the Establishment of the CIS and its relevant (Alma-Ata) Protocol would be considered to be founding states of the CIS, as well as those only countries ratifying the Charter would be considered to be member states of the CIS (art. 7). Other states can participate as associate members or observers if accepted as such by a decision of the Council of Heads of State to the CIS (art. 8). All the founding states, apart from Ukraine and Turkmenistan, ratified the [[CIS Charter|Charter of the CIS]] and became member states of it. Nevertheless, Ukraine and Turkmenistan kept participating in the CIS, without being member states of it. Ukraine became an associate member of the CIS Economic Union in April 1994, and Turkmenistan became an associate member of the CIS in August 2005. Georgia left the CIS altogether in 2009 and Ukraine stopped participating in 2018. During a speech at [[Moscow State University]] in 1994, the [[President of Kazakhstan]], [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]], suggested the idea of creating a "common defense" space within the CIS.<ref>Alexandrov, Mikhail. ''Uneasy Alliance: Relations Between Russia and Kazakhstan in the Post-Soviet Era, 1992–1997.'' Greenwood Press, 1999, p. 229. {{ISBN|978-0-313-30965-6}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news|last1=Vladimir|first1=Radyuhin|title=Three-nation Eurasian union set up as bridge|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/threenation-eurasian-union-set-up-as-bridge/article6063893.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705021930/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/threenation-eurasian-union-set-up-as-bridge/article6063893.ece|archive-date=5 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kazakhstan welcomes Putin's Eurasian Union concept |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/kazakhstan/8808500/Kazakhstan-welcomes-Putins-Eurasian-Union-concept.html |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=6 October 2011 |access-date=8 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007231516/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/kazakhstan/8808500/Kazakhstan-welcomes-Putins-Eurasian-Union-concept.html |archive-date=7 October 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Nazarbayev's idea was quickly seen as a way to bolster trade, boost investments in the region, and serve as a counterweight to the West and East Asia.<ref name="The Hindu"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Eurasian Economic Union to become a bridge between Europe and Pacific Rim|url=http://vestnikkavkaza.net/articles/politics/55923.html|publisher=Vestnik Kavkaza|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708075303/http://vestnikkavkaza.net/articles/politics/55923.html|archive-date=8 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Between 2003 and 2005, three CIS member states experienced a change of government in a series of [[colour revolution]]s: [[Eduard Shevardnadze]] was overthrown in Georgia; [[Viktor Yushchenko]] was elected in Ukraine; and [[Askar Akayev]] was toppled in Kyrgyzstan. In February 2006, Georgia withdrew from the Council of Defense Ministers, with the statement that "Georgia has taken a course to join NATO and it cannot be part of two military structures simultaneously",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.pravda.ru/news/world/03-02-2006/75406-georgia-0 |title=Georgia opts out of ex-Soviet military cooperation body |publisher=Pravda.Ru |date=11 September 2001 |access-date=23 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309184319/http://english.pravda.ru/news/world/03-02-2006/75406-georgia-0/ |archive-date=9 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/world/20060203/43324440.html |title=RIA Novosti – World – Georgia's quitting CIS council will not affect security&nbsp;– Russian minister |date=3 February 2006 |publisher=En.rian.ru |access-date=23 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502013534/http://en.rian.ru/world/20060203/43324440.html |archive-date=2 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> but it remained a full member of the CIS until August 2009, one year after officially withdrawing in the immediate aftermath of the [[Russo-Georgian War]]. In March 2007, [[Igor Ivanov]], the secretary of the Russian Security Council, expressed his doubts concerning the usefulness of the CIS, emphasizing that the [[Eurasian Economic Community]] was becoming a more competent organization to unify the largest countries of the CIS.<ref>[http://www.infoniac.com/news/russia-nato.html Russia questions further existence of the CIS post-soviet organisation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070323232638/http://www.infoniac.com/news/russia-nato.html |date=23 March 2007 }} ''InfoNIAC''</ref> Following the withdrawal of Georgia, the presidents of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan skipped the October 2009 meeting of the CIS, each having their own issues and disagreements with the Russian Federation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pannier |first=Bruce |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Facing_Resistance_With_Allies_On_CISs_Southern_Flank/1847880.html |title=Russia Facing Resistance With Allies On CIS's Southern Flank |publisher=Rferl.org |access-date=23 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509223547/http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Facing_Resistance_With_Allies_On_CISs_Southern_Flank/1847880.html |archive-date=9 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Council of Foreign Ministers met in [[Dushanbe]], Tajikistan on 11 April 2003 to discuss the [[Iraq War|war in Iraq]] and consider a draft program for the fight against terrorism and extremism, highlighting the particular need for an international role in post-war Iraq, to be further addressed at the May summit in [[St. Petersburg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nti.org/learn/treaties-and-regimes/commonwealth-independent-states-cis/|title=Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) – Treaties & Regimes – NTI|website=www.nti.org|access-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718174626/http://www.nti.org/learn/treaties-and-regimes/commonwealth-independent-states-cis/|archive-date=18 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2009, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine joined the [[Eastern Partnership]], a project which was initiated by the [[European Union]] (EU). == Membership == [[File:Commonwealth of Independent States.svg|300px|thumb|Member states: {{legend|red|Former member}} {{legend|yellow|Associated member}}]] There are nine full [[member states]] of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The Creation Agreement remained the main constituent document of the CIS until January 1993, when the ''CIS Charter'' ({{lang-ru|Устав}}, ''Ustav'') was adopted.<ref name=charter>[http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20060720174729/http://www.therussiasite.org/legal/laws/CIScharter.html CIS Charter], 22 January 1993 ('''unofficial English translation'''). [https://web.archive.org/web/20060723002729/http://cis.minsk.by/main.aspx?uid=180 '''Russian''' text here]</ref> The charter formalized the concept of membership: a member country is defined as a country that ratifies the CIS Charter (sec. 2, art. 7). Parties to CIS Creation Agreement but not the Charter are considered to be "The Founding States" but not full members. Turkmenistan has not ratified the Charter and therefore is not formally a member of the CIS. Nevertheless, it has consistently participated in the CIS as if it were a member state. Turkmenistan changed its CIS standing to associate member as of 26 August 2005. The cited reason was to be consistent with its 1995-proclaimed, UN-recognised, international neutrality status, but experts have cited the country no longer needing Russia to provide natural gas access, as well as the country's declining faith in the confederation's ability to maintain internal stability in light of the [[Colour Revolution]]s.<ref name=turkru>[http://www.cis.minsk.by/main.aspx?uid=4018 Decision on Turkmenistan's associate membership]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, CIS Executive Committee meeting in Kazan, Russia, 26 August 2005 {{in lang|ru}}.</ref><ref name=turken>[http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1061002.html Turkmenistan reduces CIS ties to "Associate Member"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211095248/http://www.rferl.org/content/Article/1061002.html |date=11 December 2008 }}, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 29 August 2005.</ref> Although Ukraine was one of the states which ratified the Creation Agreement in December 1991, making it a Founding State of the CIS, it chose not to ratify the CIS Charter<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O-v2Uhprr7cC&q=Ukraine+did+not+choose+to+ratify+the+CIS+Charter&pg=PA44|title=Conflict in the Former USSR|access-date=25 September 2014|isbn=9780521763103|last1=Sussex|first1=Matthew|date=4 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=to6U__f00b8C&q=Ukraine+founding+countries+CIS&pg=PA16|title=Russia and Nis Mineral Industry Handbook|access-date=25 September 2014|isbn=9781433041181|date=7 February 2007}}</ref> as it disagrees with Russia being the only legal [[successor state]] to the Soviet Union. Thus it has never been a full member of the CIS.<ref name=ratification>[http://cis.minsk.by/sm.aspx?uid=11368 Ratification status of CIS documents as of 15 January 2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030122332/http://cis.minsk.by/sm.aspx?uid=11368 |date=30 October 2008 }} ('''Russian''')</ref><ref>[http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-268085.html September 2008 Statement by Foreign Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Ohryzko] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928112112/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-268085.html |date=28 September 2008 }}, "Ukraine does not recognize the legal personality of this organization, we are not members of the CIS Economic Court, we did not ratify the CIS Statute, thus, we cannot be considered a member of this organisation from an international legal point of view. Ukraine is a country-participant, but not a member country."</ref> However, Ukraine kept participating in the CIS, despite not being a member. In 1993, Ukraine became an associate member of the Economic Union of the CIS.<ref name="auto">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0IMaWuaYRnQC&q=CIS+Ukraine+membership&pg=PA142|title=Economic Interdependence in Ukrainian-Russian Relations|access-date=25 September 2014|isbn=9780791442463|last1=d'Anieri|first1=Paul J.|date=July 1999}}</ref> Following the [[2014 Russian military intervention in Ukraine|Russian military intervention in Ukraine]] and [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexation of Crimea]], relations between Ukraine and Russia deteriorated, leading Ukraine to consider ending its participation in the CIS. As Ukraine never ratified the Charter, it could cease its informal participation in the CIS. However, to fully terminate its relationship with the CIS, it would need to legally withdraw from the Creation Agreement, as Georgia did previously. On 14 March 2014, a bill was introduced to Ukraine's parliament to denounce their ratification of the CIS Creation Agreement, but it was never approved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/bill-introduced-to-withdraw-ukraine-from-cis-339433.html|title=Bill introduced to withdraw Ukraine from CIS|date=15 March 2014|access-date=27 March 2014|newspaper=[[Kyiv Post]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327052438/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/bill-introduced-to-withdraw-ukraine-from-cis-339433.html|archive-date=27 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://w1.c1.rada.gov.ua/pls/zweb2/webproc2_5_1_J?ses=10008&num_s=2&num=0074&date1=&date2=&name_zp=&out_type=&id=|title=Результати пошуку законопроектiв, зареєстрованих Верховною Радою України|access-date=25 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304191524/http://w1.c1.rada.gov.ua/pls/zweb2/webproc2_5_1_J?ses=10008&num_s=2&num=0074&date1=&date2=&name_zp=&out_type=&id=|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/world/733566|title=Draft documents on Ukraine's withdrawal from CIS submitted to Verkhovna Rada|date=27 May 2014|access-date=21 June 2014|publisher=[[Information Telegraph Agency of Russia]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714232744/http://en.itar-tass.com/world/733566|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following the [[2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election|2014 parliamentary election]], a new bill to denounce the CIS agreement was introduced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://w1.c1.rada.gov.ua/pls/zweb2/webproc4_1?pf3511=52424|title=Проект Постанови про припинення членства та участі України в органах Співдружності Незалежних Держав|publisher=[[Verkhovna Rada]]|access-date=30 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211134742/http://w1.c1.rada.gov.ua/pls/zweb2/webproc4_1?pf3511=52424|archive-date=11 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://w1.c1.rada.gov.ua/pls/zweb2/webproc4_1?pf3511=52644|title=Проект Закону про зупинення дії Угоди про створення Співдружності Незалежних Держав|publisher=[[Verkhovna Rada]]|access-date=26 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429230846/http://w1.c1.rada.gov.ua/pls/zweb2/webproc4_1?pf3511=52644|archive-date=29 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2015, the [[Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] confirmed Ukraine will continue taking part in the CIS "on a selective basis".<ref name=ultb>[http://m.eng.belta.by/politics/view/ukraine-to-selectively-work-as-part-of-cis-25-2015 Ukraine to selectively work as part of CIS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128035608/http://m.eng.belta.by/politics/view/ukraine-to-selectively-work-as-part-of-cis-25-2015 |date=28 January 2016 }}, [[BelTA]] (21 September 2015)</ref><ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/yatsenyuk-says-ukraine-will-drop-commonwealth-of-independent-states-criminal-search-database-system-on-aug-24-396167.html Yatsenyuk says Ukraine will drop Commonwealth of Independent States criminal search database system on Aug 24] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918183557/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/yatsenyuk-says-ukraine-will-drop-commonwealth-of-independent-states-criminal-search-database-system-on-aug-24-396167.html |date=18 September 2015 }}, [[Kyiv Post]] (20 August 2015)</ref> Since that month, Ukraine has had no representatives in the CIS Executive Committee building.<ref name=ultb/> In April 2018, Ukrainian President [[Petro Poroshenko]] indicated that Ukraine would formally leave the CIS.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine to officially quit CIS – Poroshenko |url=https://www.unian.info/politics/10078742-ukraine-to-officially-quit-cis-poroshenko.html |publisher=[[UNIAN]] |access-date=12 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413124653/https://www.unian.info/politics/10078742-ukraine-to-officially-quit-cis-poroshenko.html |archive-date=13 April 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 1 June, the CIS secretariat had not received formal notice from Ukraine of its withdrawal from the CIS, a process that will take one year to complete, following notice being given.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Ukraine-s-withdrawal-from-CIS-to-take-one-year.html|title=Ukraine's withdrawal from CIS to take one year {{!}} Vestnik Kavkaza|website=vestnikkavkaza.net|language=en-EN|access-date=24 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813004418/http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Ukraine-s-withdrawal-from-CIS-to-take-one-year.html|archive-date=13 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.tj/ru/node/255314|title=CIS Executive Secretary hopes Ukraine will remain member nation of the CIS|date=1 June 2018|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721221817/https://news.tj/ru/node/255314|archive-date=21 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/kyrgyz-envoy-cis-to-consider-ukraines-withdrawal-as-soon-as-kyiv-files-official-application.html|title=Kyrgyz envoy: CIS to consider Ukraine's withdrawal as soon as Kyiv files official application|date=2 June 2018|access-date=21 July 2018|publisher=[[Interfax-Ukraine]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://azertag.az/en/xeber/Executive_Committee_Chairman_CIS_states_interested_in_keeping_Ukraine_as_member-1203265|title=Executive Committee Chairman: CIS states interested in keeping Ukraine as member|date=11 October 2018|access-date=8 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419181054/https://azertag.az/en/xeber/Executive_Committee_Chairman_CIS_states_interested_in_keeping_Ukraine_as_member-1203265|archive-date=19 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 May 2018, President Poroshenko signed a decree formally ending Ukraine's participation in CIS statutory bodies.<ref name=UAPart>{{Cite news|url=https://www.unian.info/m/politics/10123172-poroshenko-signs-decree-on-final-termination-of-ukraine-s-participation-in-cis-statutory-bodies.html|title=Poroshenko signs decree on final termination of Ukraine's participation in CIS statutory bodies|access-date=19 May 2018|language=en}}</ref> The CIS secretariat stated that it will continue inviting Ukraine to participate. Ukraine has further stated that it intends to review its participation in all CIS agreements and only continue in those that are in its interests. In light of Russia's support for the independence of occupied regions within Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/0898a824-74a6-11e4-b30b-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3ZeRLwHMN|title=Georgia calls on west to condemn Abkhazia treaty with Russia|date=25 November 2014|access-date=9 May 2015|newspaper=[[Financial Times]]|first=Neil|last=Buckley}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://euobserver.com/foreign/128618|title=Donbas: A new 'black hole' in Europe|date=7 May 2015|access-date=9 May 2015|first=Andrew|last=Rettman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518091557/https://euobserver.com/foreign/128618|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-erecting-monument-to-little-green-men-who-took-over-crimea/519768.html|title=Russia Erecting Monument to 'Little Green Men' Who Took Over Crimea|date=26 April 2015|access-date=9 May 2015|newspaper=[[Moscow Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428215115/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-erecting-monument-to-little-green-men-who-took-over-crimea/519768.html|archive-date=28 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as its violation of the Istanbul Agreement (see [[Adapted Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty]]), legislative initiatives to denounce the agreement on the creation of CIS were tabled in Moldova's parliament on 25 March 2014, though they were not approved.<ref>[http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/v_moldove_predlagayut_denonsirovat_soglashenie_o_sozdanii_sng_1616922 In Moldova propose to denounce the agreement on creation of CIS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705200406/http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/v_moldove_predlagayut_denonsirovat_soglashenie_o_sozdanii_sng_1616922 |date=5 July 2015 }}. [[Ukrinform]]. 25 March 2014</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parlament.md/ProcesulLegislativ/Proiectedeactelegislative/tabid/61/LegislativId/2227/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx|title=Proiectul hotărîrii cu privire la denunțarea Acordului de constituire a Comunității Statelor Independente|access-date=4 November 2014|publisher=[[Parliament of the Republic of Moldova]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105013227/http://www.parlament.md/ProcesulLegislativ/Proiectedeactelegislative/tabid/61/LegislativId/2227/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx|archive-date=5 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parlament.md/ProcesulLegislativ/Proiectedeactelegislative/tabid/61/LegislativId/2230/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx|title=Proiectul legii cu privire la denunțarea Acordului de constituire a Comunității Statelor Independente nr.40-XII din 08.04.1994|access-date=4 November 2014|publisher=[[Parliament of the Republic of Moldova]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105013231/http://www.parlament.md/ProcesulLegislativ/Proiectedeactelegislative/tabid/61/LegislativId/2230/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx|archive-date=5 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> A similar bill was proposed in January 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parlament.md/ProcesulLegislativ/Proiectedeactelegislative/tabid/61/LegislativId/4050/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx|title=Proiectul hotărîrii cu privire la denunțarea Acordului de constituire a Comunității Statelor Independente|date=2 January 2018|access-date=29 January 2018|publisher=[[Parliament of the Republic of Moldova]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131023316/http://www.parlament.md/ProcesulLegislativ/Proiectedeactelegislative/tabid/61/LegislativId/4050/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx|archive-date=31 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-eu-candidate-cis-leanca/28998630.html|title=Moldova Says It Would Leave CIS Only After Becoming EU Candidate|date=25 January 2018|access-date=29 January 2018|publisher=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129174041/https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-eu-candidate-cis-leanca/28998630.html|archive-date=29 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 14 June 2022, Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs [[Nicu Popescu]] said the Moldovan government was considering the prospect of leaving the CIS, although at the end of May President [[Maia Sandu]] had said the country would not leave for the time being.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://seenews.com/news/moldova-looking-into-quitting-cis-amid-russia-ukraine-war-foreign-min-788184|title=Moldova looking into quitting CIS amid Russia-Ukraine war - foreign min|website=seenews.com}}</ref> An August 2021 poll conducted in Moldova (prior to the start of [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine]]) found that 48.1% of respondents supported Moldova's withdrawal from the CIS.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/world/poll-over-70-moldovans-favor-eu-membership.html|title=Poll: Over 70% Moldovans favor EU membership|date=2021-08-02|accessdate=2022-06-19|publisher=[[Kyiv Post]]}}</ref> === Member states === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Country<ref name=depositary>{{cite web|url=http://cis.minsk.by/reestr/ru/index.html#reports/rat/sved|title=Сведения о ратификации документов, принятых в рамках СНГ в 1991 – 2014 годах|access-date=10 October 2014|publisher=Commonwealth of Independent States|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102022543/http://cis.minsk.by/reestr/ru/index.html#reports/rat/sved|archive-date=2 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><!--Useful: http://www.sudsng.org/download_files/rh/1994/Rh_02_94_310394.pdf--> ! Agreement/protocol ratified ! Charter ratified ! Notes |- | {{ARM}} | {{dts|18 February 1992}} | {{dts|16 March 1994}} | Founding state |- | {{AZE}} | {{dts|24 September 1993}} | {{dts|24 September 1993}} | |- | {{BLR}} | {{dts|10 December 1991}} | {{dts|18 January 1994}} | Founding state |- | {{KAZ}} | {{dts|23 December 1991}} | {{dts|20 April 1994}} | Founding state |- | {{KGZ}} | {{dts|6 March 1992}} | {{dts|12 April 1994}} | Founding state |- | {{MDA}} | {{dts|8 April 1994}} | {{dts|15 April 1994}} | |- | {{RUS}} | {{dts|12 December 1991}} | {{dts|20 July 1993}} | Founding state |- | {{TJK}} | {{dts|26 June 1993}} | {{dts|4 August 1993}} | |- | {{UZB}} | {{dts|4 January 1992}} | {{dts|9 February 1994}} | Founding state |} === Ratifiers of the Creation Agreement === Two states, Ukraine and Turkmenistan, have ratified the CIS Creation Agreement, making them "founding states of the CIS", but did not ratify the subsequent Charter that would make them members of the CIS. These states, while not being formal members of the CIS, were allowed to participate in CIS.<ref name="vestnikkavkaza.net">{{cite web|url=http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Ukraine-s-withdrawal-from-CIS-to-take-one-year.html|title=Ukraine's withdrawal from CIS to take one year – Vestnik Kavkaza|website=vestnikkavkaza.net|access-date=12 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813004418/http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Ukraine-s-withdrawal-from-CIS-to-take-one-year.html|archive-date=13 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> They were also allowed to participate in various CIS initiatives, e.g. the [[Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldtradelaw.net/document.php?id=fta/agreements/cisfta.pdf|title=FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA, BELARUS, GEORGIA, MOLDOVA, KAZAKHSTAN, THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, UKRAINE, UZBEKISTAN, TAJIKISTAN AND THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330113646/http://www.worldtradelaw.net/document.php?id=fta%2Fagreements%2Fcisfta.pdf|archive-date=30 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> which were, however, formulated mostly as independent multilateral agreements, and not as internal CIS agreements. Additionally, Ukraine became an associate member state of the CIS Economic Union in 1994 and Turkmenistan an associate member state of the CIS in 2005. However, the [[Verkhovna Rada]] did not ratify the agreement on associate membership in accordance with the [[CIS Charter]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Історія членства України в Співдружності Незалежних Держав|url=https://minjust.gov.ua/m/str_55|website=minjust.gov.ua|accessdate=2022-07-09|language=ru}}</ref> [[De jure|''De jure'']], Ukraine only had the status of a "founding state", without even being an associate member.<ref name=":2" /> {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Country<ref name="depositary" /> ! Agreement/protocol ratified ! Charter ratified ! Notes |- | {{nowrap|{{TKM}}}} | {{dts|26 December 1991}} | Not ratified | "Founding state". Has never been a full member. "Associate state" since 2005. |} ===Observer states=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Country ! Observer status obtained ! Charter ratified ! Notes |- | {{flag|Islamic Republic of Afghanistan}} | 2006 | Not ratified | Joined as an observer state in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://council.gov.ru/en/activity/crosswork/dep/62/|title=Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS)|website=Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia|access-date=14 June 2022}}</ref> Status in question since the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in August 2021. |- | {{flag|Mongolia}} | 2008 | Not ratified | <ref name="Mongolia" /> |} === Former member state === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Country ! Agreement/protocol ratified ! Charter ratified ! Withdrawn ! Effective ! Notes |- | {{GEO}} | 3 December 1993 | 19 April 1994 | 18 August 2008 | 18 August 2009 | Withdrew as a result of the [[Russo-Georgian War]] of 2008. |} === Former ratifiers of the Creation Agreement === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Country ! Agreement/protocol ratified ! Charter ratified ! Withdrawn ! Effective ! Notes |- |{{UKR}} |10 December 1991 |Not ratified |May 19 2018 |19 May 2018<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-19 |title=The President signed the Decree on the final termination of Ukraine's participation in the statutory bodies of the CIS — Official online representation of the President of Ukraine |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519182348/http://www.president.gov.ua/news/prezident-pidpisav-ukaz-pro-ostatochne-pripinennya-uchasti-u-47554 |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref> |Withdrew as a result of the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ponomarenko |first1=Illia |date=19 May 2018 |title=Ukraine withdraws all envoys from CIS bodies |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ukraine-withdraws-envoys-cis-bodies.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520110621/https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ukraine-withdraws-envoys-cis-bodies.html |archive-date=20 May 2018 |access-date=20 May 2018 |website=Kyiv Post}}</ref> |} ==Politics== ===Executive Secretaries=== {|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- ! Name ! Country ! Term |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Ivan Korotchenya]] | {{BLR}} | 14 May 1993 – 29 April 1998 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Boris Berezovsky (businessman)|Boris Berezovsky]] | {{RUS}} | 29 April 1998 – 4 March 1999 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Ivan Korotchenya]] | {{BLR}} | 4 March&nbsp;– 2 April 1999 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Yury Yarov]] | {{RUS}} | 2 April 1999 – 14 June 2004 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Vladimir Rushailo]] | {{RUS}} | 14 June 2004 – 5 October 2007 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Sergey Lebedev (politician)|Sergei Lebedev]] | {{RUS}} | 5 October 2007 – ''Incumbent'' |} ===Interparliamentary Assembly=== [[File:CIS meeting 2008.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Meeting of CIS leaders in [[Bishkek]], 2008]] The [[Interparliamentary Assembly]] was established on 27 March 1992 in [[Kazakhstan]]. On 26 May 1995 CIS leaders signed the [[Convention on the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States]] eventually ratified by nine parliaments. Under the terms of the convention, the IPA was invested with international legitimacy and is housed in the [[Tauride Palace]] in [[St Petersburg]] and acts as the consultative parliamentary wing of the CIS created to discuss problems of parliamentary cooperation and reviews draft documents of common interest and passes model laws to the national legislatures in the CIS (as well as recommendations) for their use in the preparation of new laws and amendments to existing legislation too which have been adopted by more than 130 documents that ensure the convergence of laws in the CIS to the national legislation. The Assembly is actively involved in the development of integration processes in the CIS and also sends observers to the national elections.<ref>{{cite web |author=Information and Publish. Department |url=http://www.cisstat.com/eng/c3.htm |title=CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly |publisher=Cisstat.com |access-date=23 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508224227/http://www.cisstat.com/eng/c3.htm |archive-date=8 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Assembly held its 32nd Plenary meeting in [[Saint Petersburg]] on 14 May 2009. ==Human rights== Since its inception, one of the primary goals of the CIS has been to provide a forum for discussing issues related to the social and economic development of the newly independent states. To achieve this goal member states have agreed to promote and protect human rights. Initially, efforts to achieve this goal consisted merely of statements of goodwill, but on 26 May 1995, the CIS adopted a Commonwealth of Independent States Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/type,MULTILATERALTREATY,CIS,RUS,49997ae32c,0.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416040647/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/type,MULTILATERALTREATY,CIS,RUS,49997ae32c,0.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 April 2013|title=Commonwealth of Independent States Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms|year=1995|access-date=24 March 2013}}</ref> In 1991, four years before the 1995 human rights [[treaty]], article 33 of the Charter of the CIS created a Human Rights Commission with its seat in Minsk, Belarus. This was confirmed by the decision of the Council of Heads of States of the CIS in 1993. In 1995, the CIS adopted a human rights treaty that includes civil and political as well as social and economic human rights. This treaty entered into force in 1998. The CIS treaty is modelled on the [[European Convention on Human Rights]], but lacking the strong implementation mechanisms of the latter. In the CIS treaty, the Human Rights Commission has very vaguely defined authority. The Statute of the Human Rights Commission, however, also adopted by the CIS Member States as a decision, gives the commission the right to receive inter-state as well as individual communications.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} CIS members, especially in [[Central Asia]], continue to have among the world's poorest human rights records. Many activists point to examples such as the 2005 [[Andijan massacre]] in Uzbekistan to show that there has been almost no improvement in human rights since the collapse of the Soviet Union in Central Asia. The consolidation of power by President [[Vladimir Putin]] has resulted in a steady decline in the modest progress of previous years in Russia. The Commonwealth of Independent States continues to face serious challenges in meeting even basic international standards.<ref>[http://www.freedomhouse.org/article/democracy-deficit-grows-former-soviet-union "Democracy Deficit Grows in Former Soviet Union"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222202922/http://www.freedomhouse.org/article/democracy-deficit-grows-former-soviet-union |date=22 February 2014 }} 2011. date retrieved 12 February 2014</ref> ==Military== {{Main|United Armed Forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States|Council of Ministers of Defense of the CIS|Joint CIS Air Defense System}} [[File: The Council of CIS Defense Ministers.jpg|thumb|The members of the council meeting in Moscow in 2017]] The CIS Charter establishes the Council of Ministers of Defence, which is vested with the task of coordinating military cooperation of the CIS member states. To this end, the Council develops conceptual approaches to the questions of military and defence policy of the CIS member states; develops proposals aimed to prevent armed conflicts on the territory of the member states or with their participation; gives expert opinions on draft treaties and agreements related to the questions of defence and military developments; issues related suggestions and proposals to the attention of the CIS Council of the Heads of State. Also important is the council's work on the approximation of the legal acts in the area of defence and military development.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}} An important manifestation of integration processes in the area of military and defense collaboration of the CIS member states is the creation, in 1995, of the joint CIS Air Defense System. Over the years, the military personnel of the [[joint CIS Air Defense System]] grew twofold along the western, European border of the CIS, and by 1.5 times on its southern borders.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cis.minsk.by/page.php?id=200 |title=Информация о Совете министров обороны государств – участников Содружества Независимых Государств |publisher=Cis.minsk.by |access-date=23 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923203754/http://www.cis.minsk.by/page.php?id=200 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> When [[Boris Yeltsin]] became Russian Defence Minister on 7 May 1992, [[Yevgeny Shaposhnikov]], was appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the CIS Armed Forces ({{Lang-ru|Объединённые Вооружённые силы СНГ}}), and his staff were ejected from the MOD and [[General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation|General Staff]] buildings and given offices in the former [[Warsaw Pact]] Headquarters at 41 [[Leningradsky Prospekt]]<ref>[http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/2142.html Johnson's Russia List #2142] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010306020516/http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/2142.html |date=6 March 2001 }}, 9 April 1998</ref> on the northern outskirts of Moscow.<ref>Odom, The Collapse of the Soviet Military, p.385-86</ref> Shaposhnikov resigned in June 1993. In December 1993, the CIS Armed Forces Headquarters was abolished.<ref>Interfax, 22 December 1993, via Zbigniew Brzezinski, Paige Sullivan, 'Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States' CSIS, 1997, p.464 via [[Google Books]]</ref> Instead, "the CIS Council of Defence Ministers created a CIS Military Cooperation Coordination Headquarters (MCCH) in Moscow, with 50 percent of the funding provided by Russia."<ref>SIPRI 1998 Annual, p.18</ref> General [[Viktor Samsonov]] was appointed as Chief of Staff. The headquarters has now moved to 101000, Москва, Сверчков переулок, 3/2, and 41 Leningradsky Prospekt has now been taken over by another Russian MOD agency. The chiefs of the CIS general staffs have spoken in favour of integrating their national armed forces.<ref>[http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20101203/161615698.html "CIS chiefs of staff want military integration."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206012949/http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20101203/161615698.html |date=6 December 2010 }} ''[[RIA Novosti]]'', 3 December 2010.</ref> ==Economy== {{main|Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area}} {{see also|Economy of the Soviet Union}} In 1994, negotiations were initiated between the CIS countries on establishing a [[free trade area]] (FTA), but no agreement was signed. A proposed free trade agreement would have covered all twelve then CIS members and treaty parties except Turkmenistan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldtradelaw.net/fta/agreements/cisfta.pdf |title=Free Trade Agreement Between Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, The Russian Federation, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan And The Kyrgyz Republic |access-date=23 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516081043/http://www.worldtradelaw.net/fta/agreements/cisfta.pdf |archive-date=16 May 2011 }}</ref> In 2009, a new agreement was begun to create a FTA, the CIS Free Trade Agreement (CISFTA).<ref>[http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100617/159463469.html Russia expects the CIS countries to create a free trade zone by yearend] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621145941/http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100617/159463469.html |date=21 June 2010 }}, 17 June 2010</ref> In October 2011, the new free trade agreement was signed by eight of the eleven CIS prime ministers; Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine at a meeting in St. Petersburg. Initially, the treaty was only ratified by Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine,<ref>[http://www.usubc.org/site/member-news/cis-free-trade-agreement-comes-into-force CIS Free Trade Agreement comes into force; Baker & McKenzi, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, 18 October 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225050742/http://www.usubc.org/site/member-news/cis-free-trade-agreement-comes-into-force |date=25 February 2014 }}, 18 October 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.odessatalk.com/2014/09/russias-duma-ratifies-eurasian-economic-union/ Russia’s Duma ratifies Eurasian Economic Union] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622111443/http://www.odessatalk.com/2014/09/russias-duma-ratifies-eurasian-economic-union/ |date=22 June 2018 }}, odessatalk.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.</ref><ref>[http://www.usubc.org/site/member-news/cis-free-trade-agreement-comes-into-force CIS Free Trade Agreement comes into force; Baker & McKenzi, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, 18 October 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225050742/http://www.usubc.org/site/member-news/cis-free-trade-agreement-comes-into-force |date=25 February 2014 }}, Retrieved 22 June 2018.</ref> however by the end of 2012, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Moldova had also completed ratification.<ref>[https://www.kaztag.kz/en/news/kazakhstan-ratified-agreement-on-free-trade-zone Kazakhstan ratified agreement on Free Trade zone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622140506/https://www.kaztag.kz/en/news/kazakhstan-ratified-agreement-on-free-trade-zone |date=22 June 2018 }} www.kaztag.kz. Retrieved 22 June 2018.</ref><ref>[http://arka.am/en/news/economy/armenia_ratifies_cis_free_trade_zone_agreement/ Armenia ratifies CIS free trade zone agreement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622140550/http://arka.am/en/news/economy/armenia_ratifies_cis_free_trade_zone_agreement/ |date=22 June 2018 }}, arka.am. Retrieved 22 June 2018.</ref> In December 2013, Uzbekistan, signed and then ratified the treaty,<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 December 2013|title=Uzbekistan Joins CIS Free-Trade Zone|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-joins-cis-free-trade-zone/25215190.html|access-date=11 October 2021|website=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]}}</ref><ref>[http://www.azernews.az/region/65752.html Uzbekistan joins CIS free trade zone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401220004/http://www.azernews.az/region/65752.html |date=1 April 2016 }}, azernews.az. Retrieved 22 June 2018.</ref> while the remaining two signatories, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan later both ratified the treaty in January 2014 and December 2015 respectively.<ref>[http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Dushanbe-ratifies-agreement-on-CIS-free-trade-area.html Dushanbe ratifies agreement on CIS free trade area] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622140135/http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Dushanbe-ratifies-agreement-on-CIS-free-trade-area.html |date=22 June 2018 }}, Vestnik Kavkaza. Retrieved 22 June 2018.</ref><ref>[https://akipress.com/news:570508 Tajikistan ratifies CIS Free Trade Zone Agreement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622140136/https://akipress.com/news:570508 |date=22 June 2018 }}, AKIpress. Retrieved 22 June 2018</ref> [[Azerbaijan]] is the only full CIS member state not to participate in the free trade area. The free trade agreement eliminates export and import duties on several goods but also contains a number of exemptions that will ultimately be phased out.<ref>[http://en.rian.ru/russia/20111018/167833875.html CIS leaders sign free trade deal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502012631/http://en.rian.ru/russia/20111018/167833875.html |date=2 May 2013 }}, 19 October 2011</ref> An agreement was also signed on the basic principles of currency regulation and currency controls in the CIS at the same October 2011 meeting.<ref>[http://en.rian.ru/business/20111019/167852994.html Most CIS states sign free trade zone agreement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222015337/http://en.rian.ru/business/20111019/167852994.html |date=22 December 2011 }}, 19 October 2011</ref> Corruption and bureaucracy are serious problems for trade in CIS countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utoronto.ca/jacyk/files/KuzioCorruptionCIS.pdf|title=Petro Jacyk Program – Centre for Russian and East European Studies, University of Toronto|access-date=25 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211004436/http://www.utoronto.ca/jacyk/files/KuzioCorruptionCIS.pdf|archive-date=11 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev proposed that CIS members take up a digitization agenda to modernize CIS economies.<ref name="cisdigi">{{cite news|title=Nazarbayev proposes CIS modernisation, meets EUAU counterparts in Sochi|url=https://www.astanacalling.com/nazarbayev-proposes-cis-modernisation-meets-euau-counterparts-sochi/|publisher=Astana Calling|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014183953/https://www.astanacalling.com/nazarbayev-proposes-cis-modernisation-meets-euau-counterparts-sochi/|archive-date=14 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> ===Common Economic Space=== After a discussion about the creation of a [[single market|common economic space]] between the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries of Russia, [[Ukraine]], [[Belarus]], and [[Kazakhstan]], agreement in principle about the creation of this space was announced after a meeting in the Moscow suburb of [[Novo-Ogarevo]] on 23 February 2003. The Common Economic Space would involve a [[Supranational union|supranational]] commission on trade and [[tariff]]s that would be based in [[Kyiv]], would initially be headed by a representative of [[Kazakhstan]], and would not be subordinate to the governments of the four nations. The ultimate goal would be a regional organization that would be open for other countries to join as well, and could eventually lead even to a single currency.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} On 22 May 2003, the ''[[Verkhovna Rada]]'' (the Ukrainian Parliament) voted 266 votes in favour and 51 against the joint economic space. However, most believe that [[Viktor Yushchenko]]'s victory in the [[2004 Ukrainian presidential election|Ukrainian presidential election of 2004]] was a significant blow against the project: Yushchenko has shown renewed interest in Ukrainian membership in the European Union and such membership would be incompatible with the envisioned common economic space.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} Yushchenko's successor [[Viktor Yanukovych]] stated on 27 April 2010 "Ukraine's entry into the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan is not possible today, since the economic principles and the laws of the [[WTO]] do not allow it, we develop our policy following WTO principles".<ref name=WTO/> Ukraine has been a WTO member since 2008.<ref name=WTO>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/65139/ Yanukovych: Ukraine won't join Customs Union] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514201713/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/65139/ |date=14 May 2011 }}, [[Kyiv Post]] (27 April 2010)</ref> A [[Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia]] was thus created in 2010,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rbcnews.com/free/20081225170003.shtml |title=Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus plan on common economic space |publisher=Rbcnews.com |access-date=23 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401220730/http://www.rbcnews.com/free/20081225170003.shtml |archive-date=1 April 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[single market]] had been envisioned for 2012,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100617/159463469.html |title=Russia expects CIS countries to create free trade area |date=17 June 2010 |publisher=En.rian.ru |access-date=23 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502010507/http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100617/159463469.html |archive-date=2 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> but instead the customs union was renamed as the [[Eurasian Customs Union]] and expanded to include Armenia and Kyrgyzstan in 2015. ===Economic data=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: right;" |+The data is taken from the [[United Nations]]&nbsp;statistics division and the '''[[World Bank]]'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?name_desc=false|title=GDP per capita (current US$) &#124; Data|website=data.worldbank.org}}</ref> |- ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Country ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Population<br />({{UN Population|Year}}){{UN Population|ref}} ! colspan="2" scope="col" | GDP {{nobold| (USD)}} ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | GDP growth<br />(2012) ! colspan="2" scope="col" | GDP per capita ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Human Development<br />Index (2019) |- ! scope="col" | 2007 ! scope="col" | 2012 ! scope="col" | 2007 ! scope="col" | 2012 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Belarus]] | {{UN Population|Belarus}} | 45,275,738,770 | 65,685,000,000 | 4.3% | 4,656 | 6,940 | 0.823 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Kazakhstan]] | {{UN Population|Kazakhstan}} | 104,849,915,344 | 196,642,000,000 | 5.2% | 6,805 | 11,700 | 0.825 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Kyrgyzstan]] | {{UN Population|Kyrgyzstan}} | 3,802,570,572 | 6,197,000,000 | 0.8% | 711 | 1,100 | 0.697 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Russia]] | {{UN Population|Russian Federation}} | 1,294,381,844,081 | 2,022,000,000,000 | 3.4% | 9,119 | 14,240 | 0.824 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Tajikistan]] | {{UN Population|Tajikistan}} | 3,695,939,000 | 7,263,000,000 | 2.1% | 526 | 960 | 0.668 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Uzbekistan]] | {{UN Population|Uzbekistan}} | 22,355,214,805 | 63,622,000,000 | 4.1% | 831 | 2,137 | 0.720 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Azerbaijan]] | {{UN Population|Azerbaijan}} | 33,049,426,816 | 71,043,000,000 | 3.8% | 3,829 | 7,500 | 0.756 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Moldova]] | {{UN Population|Republic of Moldova}} | 4,401,137,824 | 7,589,000,000 | 4.4% | 1,200 | 2,100 | 0.750 |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[Armenia]] | {{UN Population|Armenia}} | 9,204,496,419 | 10,551,000,000 | 2.1% | 2,996 | 3,500 | 0.776 |} ==Associated organisations== {{Supranational PostSoviet Bodies|size=500px|align=right}} ===Organisation of Central Asian Cooperation=== [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Turkmenistan]] and [[Uzbekistan]] formed the OCAC in 1991 as [[Central Asian Commonwealth]] (CAC).{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} The organisation continued in 1994 as the Central Asian Economic Union (CAEU), in which Tajikistan and Turkmenistan did not participate. In 1998 it became the Central Asian Economic Cooperation (CAEC), which marked the return of Tajikistan. On 28 February 2002, it was renamed to its current name. Russia joined on 28 May 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ecetrade.typepad.com/Central%20Asian%20Cooperation%20Organization%20basic%20info.doc |title=Central Asian Cooperation Organisation |access-date=23 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223122437/http://ecetrade.typepad.com/Central%20Asian%20Cooperation%20Organization%20basic%20info.doc |archive-date=23 February 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 7 October 2005, it was decided between the member states that Uzbekistan will join<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20051110/42053167.html |title=Working group discusses Uzbekistan's accession to EurAsEC |publisher=En.rian.ru |access-date=23 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501224247/http://en.rian.ru/russia/20051110/42053167.html |archive-date=1 May 2013 }}</ref> the Eurasian Economic Community and that the organisations will merge.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://centralasia.foreignpolicyblogs.com/collective-security-organization-timeline/ |title=Collective Security: A Timeline |publisher=Centralasia.foreignpolicyblogs.com |access-date=23 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510101132/http://centralasia.foreignpolicyblogs.com/collective-security-organization-timeline/ |archive-date=10 May 2011 }}</ref> The organisations joined on 25 January 2006. It is not clear what will happen to the status of current CACO observers that are not observers to EurAsEC ([[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and [[Turkey]]). ===Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations=== {{main|Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations}} The post-Soviet [[disputed states]] of [[Abkhazia]], [[Republic of Artsakh|Artsakh]], [[South Ossetia]], and [[Transnistria]] are all members of the [[Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations]] which aims to forge closer integration among the members. ==Other activities== ===Election monitoring=== The CIS-Election Monitoring Organisation ({{lang-ru|Миссия наблюдателей от СНГ на выборах}}) is an [[election monitoring]] body that was formed in October 2002, following a Commonwealth of Independent States heads of states meeting which adopted the ''Convention on the Standards of Democratic Elections, Electoral Rights, and Freedoms in the Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States''. The CIS-EMO has been sending election observers to member countries of the CIS since this time.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} ====Controversies==== The election monitoring body has approved many elections which have been heavily criticised by independent observers.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.economist.com/node/21548933 |access-date=19 May 2012 |title=Election fraud: How to steal an election |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=3 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514212634/http://www.economist.com/node/21548933 |archive-date=14 May 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> * The democratic nature of the final round of the [[2004 Ukrainian presidential election]] which followed the [[Orange Revolution]] and brought into power the former opposition, was questioned by the CIS while the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE) found no significant problems. This was the first time that the CIS observation teams challenged the validity of an election, saying that it should be considered illegitimate. On 15 March 2005, the [[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]] quoted Dmytro Svystkov (a spokesman of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry) that Ukraine has suspended its participation in the CIS election monitoring organization.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} * The CIS praised the Uzbekistan parliamentary elections, 2005 as "legitimate, free and transparent" while the OSCE had referred to the Uzbek elections as having fallen "significantly short of OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://enews.ferghana.ru/detail.php?id=85538093500.83,282,17595509 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710135748/http://enews.ferghana.ru/detail.php?id=85538093500.83,282,17595509 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 July 2012 |title=Foreign observers differ in their evaluation of the election in Uzbekistan |publisher=Enews.ferghana.ru |access-date=23 July 2013 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.ln.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/0/030111d3b474a94cc3256f790042f6f9?OpenDocument Alexander Yakovenko, the Spokesman of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Answers a Russian Media Question Regarding International Observers' Conclusions on Election Results in Ukraine and Uzbekistan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123213327/http://www.ln.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/0/030111d3b474a94cc3256f790042f6f9?OpenDocument |date=23 January 2009 }}</ref> * Moldovan authorities refused to invite CIS observers in the [[2005 Moldovan parliamentary elections]], an action Russia criticised. Many dozens such observers from Belarus and Russia were stopped from reaching Moldova.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azi.md/news?ID=33324|title=CIS Observers Outraged by Deportation of Colleagues|website=azi.md|access-date=27 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927180141/http://www.azi.md/news?ID=33324|archive-date=27 September 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> * CIS observers monitored the Tajikistan parliamentary elections, 2005 and in the end declared them "legal, free and transparent." The same elections were pronounced by the OSCE to have failed international standards for democratic elections.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} * Soon after CIS observers hailed the [[2005 Kyrgyz parliamentary elections|Kyrgyz parliamentary elections of 2005]] as "well-organized, free, and fair", as large-scale and often violent demonstrations broke out throughout the country protesting what the opposition called a rigged parliamentary election. In contrast, the OSCE reported that the elections fell short of international standards in many areas.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kupchinsky |first=Roman |url=http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/04/e791916d-4690-4835-9f2d-d230541270e6.html |title=CIS: Monitoring The Election Monitors |publisher=Rferl.org |access-date=23 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614003350/http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/04/e791916d-4690-4835-9f2d-d230541270e6.html |archive-date=14 June 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> * International observers of the [[Interparliamentary Assembly]] stated the [[2010 Ukrainian local elections|2010 local elections in Ukraine]] were organised well.<ref name=Razumkov>[http://razumkov.org.ua/eng/expert.php?news_id=2417 EU will not condemn the local elections in Ukraine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107115654/http://razumkov.org.ua/eng/expert.php?news_id=2417 |date=7 January 2017 }}, [[Razumkov Centre]] (3 November 2010)</ref> While the [[Council of Europe]] uncovered a number of problems in relation to a new electorate law approved just prior to the elections<ref name=Razumkov/> and the [[Obama administration]] criticised the conduct of the elections, saying they "did not meet standards for openness and fairness".<ref>[http://www.rferl.org/content/Interview_Top_US_Diplomat_Discusses_Regional_Developments_Abuses_Stalemates_And_Cooperation/2211838.html Interview: Top U.S. Diplomat Discusses Regional Developments, Abuses, Stalemates, And Cooperation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124030137/http://www.rferl.org/content/Interview_Top_US_Diplomat_Discusses_Regional_Developments_Abuses_Stalemates_And_Cooperation/2211838.html |date=24 November 2010 }}, [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] (5 November 2010)</ref><ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703506904575592431134922388 Ukraine's Ballot Flawed, U.S. Says] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310180442/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703506904575592431134922388 |date=10 March 2016 }}, [[The Wall Street Journal]] (4 November 2010)</ref> ===Russian-language status=== Russia has urged for the [[Russian language]] receive official status in all of the CIS member states. So far Russian is an official language in only four states: Russia, [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], and [[Kyrgyzstan]]. Russian is also considered an official language in the region of [[Transnistria]] and the autonomous region of [[Gagauzia]] in [[Moldova]]. [[Viktor Yanukovych]], the Moscow-supported presidential candidate in the controversial [[2004 Ukrainian presidential election]], declared his intention to make Russian an official second language of Ukraine. However, the Western-supported candidate [[Viktor Yushchenko]], who eventually won, successfully opposed the idea.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} After his [[2010 Ukrainian presidential election|early 2010 election]], President Yanukovych stated (on 9 March 2010), "Ukraine will continue to promote the [[Ukrainian language]] as its only state language."<ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/61283/ Yanukovych: Ukraine will not have second state language] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605060236/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/61283/ |date=5 June 2011 }}, [[Kyiv Post]] (9 March 2010)</ref> ===Sports events=== At the time of the Soviet Union's dissolution in December 1991, [[:Category: National sports teams of the Soviet Union|its sports teams]] had been invited to or qualified for various 1992 sports events. A joint CIS team took its place in some of these. The "[[Unified Team at the Olympics|Unified Team]]" competed in the [[1992 Winter Olympics]] and [[1992 Summer Olympics]], and a [[CIS national football team|CIS association football team]] competed in [[UEFA Euro 1992]]. A [[Commonwealth of Independent States national bandy team|CIS bandy team]] played some friendlies in January 1992 and made its last appearance at the 1992 [[Russian Government Cup]], where it also played against the new [[Russia national bandy team]]. The [[list of Russian bandy champions|Soviet Union bandy championship]] for 1991–1992 was rebranded as a CIS championship.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} Since then, the CIS members have each competed separately in international sports.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} In 2017, a festival for national sports and games, known as the Festival of National Sports and Games of the Commonwealth of Independent States ({{lang-ru|Фестиваль национальных видов спорта и игр государств — участников Содружества Независимых Государств}}) was held in [[Ulyanovsk]]. The main sports were [[Sambo (martial art)|sambo]], [[tug of war]], [[mas-wrestling]], [[gorodki]], [[belt wrestling]], [[Lapta (game)|lapta]], [[rink bandy|bandy (rink)]], [[kettlebell lifting]], [[chess]] and [[archery]]. A few demonstration sports were also a part of the programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportuln.ru/komandy-i-vidy-sporta|title=Виды спорта – I Фестиваль национальных видов спорта и игр государств – участников СНГ – Ульяновск 2017|website=sportuln.ru|access-date=30 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041917/http://sportuln.ru/komandy-i-vidy-sporta|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> ===Cultural events=== The CIS has also been a relevant forum to support cultural relations between former Soviet republics. In 2006, the Council of the Heads of Governments of the CIS launched the Intergovernmental Foundation for Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Cooperation (IFESCCO).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mfgs-sng.org/eng/|title=IFESCCO|website=www.mfgs-sng.org}}</ref> IFESSCO has substantially relied on Russia's financial support since its creation and supported several multilateral cultural events, including the ‘CIS Capital of Culture’ initiative.<ref>{{cite web |last=Valenza |first=Domenico |url=https://ayape.EU/en-publication-36-Russias_Cultural_Diplomacy_in_the_South_Caucasus_Instruments_Assets_and_Challenges_Ahead.HTML |title=Russia's Cultural Diplomacy in the South Caucasus: Instruments, Assets and Challenges Ahead |publisher=Ayape.EU |access-date=29 May 2020 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224165807/https://ayape.eu/en-publication-36-Russias_Cultural_Diplomacy_in_the_South_Caucasus_Instruments_Assets_and_Challenges_Ahead.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2017, the Armenian city of [[Goris]] was declared the CIS Cultural Capital of the year. ==See also== {{portal|Asia|Europe|Politics|Russia}} * [[Collective Security Treaty Organization]] * [[Comecon]] * [[Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations]] * [[Eastern Bloc]] * [[Eurasian Economic Union]] * [[Lublin Triangle]] * [[Post-Soviet states#Regional organisations|Regional organisations in post-Soviet states]] * [[Post-Soviet states]] * [[Unified Team at the Olympics|Unified Team]] * [[Republics of the Soviet Union]] * [[Visegrád Group]] == Notes == {{Notelist}} ==References== {{reflist}} ===Journals=== {{reflist|group=journal}} ==External links== {{Wikivoyage}} {{Commons category}} * [http://www.cis.minsk.by/ CIS Executive Committee] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150513160713/http://iacis.ru/eng/ Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the CIS] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20170819191711/http://courtcis.org/ Economic Court of the CIS] * [http://www.cisstat.com/eng/index.htm Interstate Statistical Committee of the CIS] * {{webarchive |url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20060720174729/http://www.therussiasite.org/legal/laws/CIScharter.html |title=Charter of the CIS |date=20 July 2006}} * {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220183358/http://www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_report&report_id=309&language_id=1 |title=PINR – C.I.S. Struggles for Cohesion |date=20 February 2006}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130319171104/http://home.globalcustodian.com/newsshow.do?newsid=26824 RZB Outlook For Commonwealth Of Independent States] * [http://www.foodsec.org/web/regional/europe/overview/en/ Food Security in Caucasus and Republic of Moldova (FAO)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810031016/http://www.foodsec.org/web/regional/europe/overview/en/ |date=10 August 2013 }} * Kembayev, Zhenis. [https://www.springer.com/law/international/book/978-3-540-87651-9?changeHeader Legal Aspects of the Regional Integration Processes in the Post-Soviet Area. Berlin-Heidelberg: Springer Verlag, 2009] (summary and sample pages). * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130623113800/http://belarusdigest.com/story/belarus-leads-cis-2013-12531 Belarus Leads The CIS In 2013] * Decree Of The President Of Ukraine No. 139/2018 [http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/1392018-24202 УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №139/2018] {{Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)}} {{Current CIS Leaders}} {{Regional organisations}} {{CARO}} {{Shanghai Cooperation Organisation}} {{International power}} {{Eastern Bloc}} {{Soviet Union topics}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Commonwealth Of Independent States}} [[Category:Commonwealth of Independent States| ]] [[Category:Post-Soviet states]] [[Category:Confederations]] [[Category:Dissolution of the Soviet Union]] [[Category:Post-Soviet alliances]] [[Category:United Nations General Assembly observers]] [[Category:Organizations established in 1991]] [[Category:1991 establishments in Asia]] [[Category:1991 establishments in Europe]] [[Category:1991 establishments in the Soviet Union]]'