Representatives of the CIS Executive Committee, headed by CIS Deputy Secretary General I. Nematov, held working meetings in Ashgabat from August 18 to 20 with the Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan M. Astanagulov and senior ministry officials to prepare for the 111th meeting of the CIS Economic Council, scheduled for September 11 in Ashgabat.

According to the CIS Executive Committee website, the negotiations discussed the readiness of the documents submitted to the Council for consideration, a possible program of events, and measures to ensure their comprehensive implementation. The facilities proposed for use in organizing and holding the meeting were inspected.

Following the meeting, a corresponding protocol was signed, and an agreement was reached on further coordination of efforts to prepare for the meeting of the CIS Economic Council.

Participants in the talks expressed confidence that holding a meeting of the Economic Council, like all the highest bodies of the CIS, on Turkmenistan's soil during the year of its chairmanship will facilitate the further development of economic cooperation among the participating states, as well as decision-making on pressing issues of interaction, the source notes.