DUSHANBE, November 10, 2009, Asia-Plus -- Defense ministers from the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have gathered in Dushanbe for the 57th session that is opening here today.

Faridoun Mahmadaliyev, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense (MoD), told Asia-Plus that defense ministers Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan would discuss state and prospects of further expansion of military-technical cooperation within the CIS area.  In all, some 20 issues have been tabled to the session’s agenda.

The meeting participants are expected to consider the concept of military cooperation between the CIS states for the period till 2015, the plan of work of the council for 2010, and main directions of development of the CIS unified air-defense system for the period till 2015.

The ministers will also outline ways of interaction between defense information services agencies for the period till 2015 and will discuss a number of other issues.

Besides, Azeri Defense Minister Safar Abiyev will start his official visit to Tajikistan starting from tomorrow, the source at a MoD said.  “Defense ministers of the two countries are expected to discuss issues related to expansion of military cooperation between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan,” he added.

Azeri News.az reports that during his stay in Dushanbe, Defense Minister Safar Abiyev will meet with President Emomali Rahmon.  Also, Abiyev will hold a meeting with his Tajik counterpart Sherali Khairulloyev and a number of other high-ranking Tajik state officials.

The CIS council of defense ministers was set up on February 14, 1992.  It now includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.