DUSHANBE, October 5, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik Minister of Culture Mirzoshorukh Asrori is attending the 25th session of the CIS Council of Culture Ministers that opened in Moscow on October 4.

According to the Ministry of Culture (MoC), the session that will last till October 6 is considering topical aspects of expanding cultural cooperation and promoting cultural integration within the CIS area.

In the meantime, the Voice of Russia reported on October 4 that the meeting brought together representatives from all CIS nations with the exception of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.  At the beginning of the session, Azerbaijan handed over the rotating chair of the ministerial conference to Russia.

Representatives from the CIS Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation (IFHC), which extends funds for joint cultural projects, are also attending the session.  

The Council yesterday ruled to declare 2011 a Year of Heritage and Culture within the CIS area.  It also approved proposals for a rotating cultural capital of the CIS, the Voice of Russia reported.