Dmitriy Kobitskiy: IPA CIS Initiatives Play Important Role in Formation of Common Eurasian Space

A round table "35 Years of Commonwealth of Independent States: Results, Tasks, Prospects" was held in Moscow. The event was organized by the Committee of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Foreign Affairs and dedicated to the CIS anniversary.

Representatives of state authorities, diplomatic institutions of Commonwealth countries and international organizations took part.

Opening the meeting, Chair of the Committee of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin noted that legislators make a significant contribution to cooperation and integration processes in Commonwealth space, developing bilateral and multilateral relations through international platforms, including the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member Nations.

He stated that Chairperson of the Council of the IPA CIS, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko described the Assembly as an effective platform for dialogue between legislators, exchange of experience and best practices, and strengthening friendship and mutual understanding. Particular emphasis was placed on model laws aimed at harmonizing legislation of Member Nations and responding to modern challenges.

Secretary General of the Interparliamentary Assembly of CIS Member Nations Dmitriy Kobitskiy stressed that Eurasian space, with significant economic, cultural and human potential, requires sustainable mechanisms of coordination and cooperation.

He noted that the CIS, as the largest integration association in the post-Soviet space, has demonstrated effectiveness in addressing key tasks and has gained strong international authority.

Dmitriy Kobitskiy highlighted that the IPA CIS continues to contribute significantly by ensuring regular interaction between legislators and forming a basis for coordinated legal policy among Member Nations.

He recalled that on 26 May, 31 years ago, the Convention on IPA CIS was signed. Since then, the Assembly has developed and adopted 750 model laws and recommendations, as well as drafts of 28 interstate conventions and other legal acts requested by countries of the region.

He also underlined parliamentary diplomacy as a key area of the IPA CIS activity, noting that international events within the Assembly framework promote dialogue, compromise and mutual trust.

Special attention is given to security issues, including counterterrorism, extremism, transnational crime and information security.

Election monitoring remains another important direction. Observation missions contribute to transparency of electoral processes, strengthening democratic institutions and trust between states.

According to Dmitriy Kobitskiy, cultural, educational and scientific initiatives of the IPA CIS play an important role in forming a common Eurasian space, strengthening intercultural dialogue, preserving historical memory and developing human capital.

He emphasized that the Assembly performs not only a coordinating but also a strategic function, contributing to long-term regional priorities and proposing legislative solutions for challenges of digital transformation, green economy and innovation.

He added that future development of the Commonwealth depends on further unlocking the potential of the IPA CIS, expanding parliamentary cooperation and introducing flexible formats of interaction.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the Council of the IPA CIS Alexey Dolzhikov.