Iran proposes new format of cooperation with CIS

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has proposed creating a “CIS+1” format to develop cooperation between the organization and his country.

Pezeshkian was invited to attend the CIS summit in Turkmenistan as a special guest, alongside leaders of the organization’s member states, including Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

RIA Novosti quoted Pezeshkian as saying at the summit that Iran sees itself as a natural part of the region’s interconnected geographic space, adding that this connection is not merely geographical but is also deeply rooted in history, culture, and contacts among peoples.

“Iran proposes creating a flexible and effective mechanism for dialogue and cooperation in the format of ‘CIS countries + Iran’ or ‘CIS+1,’” the Iranian president said.

Pezeshkian added that this would enable joint efforts to develop cooperation in areas such as energy, trade, mineral extraction, investment, technology, water resources and environmental protection, tourism, as well as scientific and cultural ties.