China News Agency, Moscow, December 26 (Reporter Tian Bing) Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the informal meeting of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States held in St. Petersburg on the 26th that the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States are facing many challenges and threats. There are differences, but the CIS countries will continue to deepen cooperation.

　　According to the Kremlin website, Putin said in his speech that against the backdrop of global market volatility, poor world economy and pressure from sanctions imposed by some countries, multi-field cooperation among CIS countries has generally developed smoothly this year.

The trade volume between Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States has grown steadily. From January to October, the trade volume increased by 6.6% to 81.5 billion US dollars and is expected to reach 100 billion US dollars by the end of this year.

　　At the same time, the CIS countries began to move more actively to local currency settlements, and took coordinated measures to strengthen import substitution and ensure technological sovereignty and independence, and strengthen joint industrial production and scientific research.

The economic and fiscal sovereignty of the CIS countries has been strengthened, domestic markets for goods, services and investment have developed, and regional integration has deepened.

　　Putin pointed out that maintaining the security and stability of the common Eurasian region is one of the key areas of cooperation among CIS countries, and the challenges and threats facing this area are increasing day by day.

At the same time, there are certain differences among the CIS member states, but what is important is that the CIS countries are ready to continue to cooperate.

He emphasized that even though the CIS countries are facing difficult problems, they still seek to solve problems together, give each other a helping hand and play the role of mediation and mediation.

　　Putin also stated that the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States rely on constructive mechanisms to actively cooperate in the fight against terrorism, extremism, transnational crime and illegal drug trafficking, and anti-corruption.

　　Putin said that deepening cooperation under the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States conforms to the fundamental interests of the people of the member states, and is conducive to more effectively solving the social and economic development problems of the member states and strengthening regional stability and security.

　　On December 8, 1991, the leaders of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, the three former Soviet Union republics, signed the "Commonwealth of Independent States Agreement" on Beloved Day in Belarus, announcing the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The main institutions of the Commonwealth of Independent States include the Council of Heads of State, the Council of Heads of Government, the Transnational Parliamentary Assembly, and the Coordination and Consultation Committee.

The Commonwealth of Independent States has nine full member states.

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