"On the whole, processes of integration in the framework of the CIS have good prospects. Because they are based upon the many-age experience of cooperation and the closest communication between our countries' nations," he said.
"Today, due to dynamic development of the Russian economy, our country objectively plays the role of a center of gravity, kind of a locomotive of integration processes. At the same time we pragmatically treat these processes, are ready to develop them with those countries who are really ready for integration," Mr. Lavrov said.
In his words, lately a number of new integration association have appeared in the CIS, and some CIS states make part of them. In particular, these are Eurasec (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan), and the Common Economic Space of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
"A great future, in our opinion, belongs to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which, along with Russia and China, comprises Central Asia states [Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan]," said the Russian foreign minister.
"Russia and our CIS partners are united by the interest in joint countering such threats and challenges as international terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and drug trafficking," the minister said.
"A CIS Antiterrorist Center has been created. The Collective Security Treaty Organization, which unites Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, is turning into an efficient tool to ensure security on the Eurasian space," he noted.
"Strengthening relations with the CIS countries remains an unconditional foreign policy priority of Russia. Tens of millions of our compatriots live on the Commonwealth space. Here, our vital interests in the spheres of the economy, defense and security are concentrated," Sergei Lavrov emphasized.
