Russia to use all resources to strengthen CIS - Shuvalov.

20/1 Tass 131

BISHKEK, January 20 (Itar-Tass) - During its CIS presidency Russia
will use all existing resources to strengthen the organization, Russian
First Vice Premier Igor Shuvalov told a meeting with Kyrgyzstani President
Kurmanbek Bakiyev on Wednesday.

Shuvalov arrived in Bishkek as Russia's national coordinator for CIS
affairs.
"The Central Asian region is Russia's priority within the framework of
the CIS," he said. "The changing of the CIS development format in many
respects depends on the countries of this region."
"We, in turn, would like to use our presidency to make more efficient
the fulfilment of decisions taken within the framework of the CIS," he
said.
According to the government's press service, Shuvalov and Bakiyev also
discussed stronger cooperation between Russia and Kyrgyzstan, including
trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, scientific and technological
relations. They also focused on the preparation for and the celebration of
the 65th anniversary of the victory in WWII.

-0-isk/kud