CIS foreign ministers to meet in Moscow, focus on Central Asia security risks

The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will hold a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and representatives of nine countries to discuss regional security issues, including risks linked to instability near Central Asia’s borders and threats posed by international terrorist groups.

The meeting, expected to take place in Moscow on April 17, will mainly focus on the development of regional cooperation and the implementation of agreements reached at the “Central Asia–Russia” summit held in Dushanbe in October 2025, Caliber.Az reports, citing Uzbek media.

The agenda also includes reviewing the results of cooperation in 2025, developing integration ties, and preparing decisions that will later be submitted to the level of heads of state.

Another topic of the meeting is expected to be internal changes within the organization, including Moldova’s announcement of its intention to withdraw from the CIS by 2027, which may also be discussed.

Lavrov is expected to hold not only multilateral talks but also separate meetings with the foreign ministers of Central Asian countries — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov