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The 20th jubilee session of the Council of Ministers of Justice of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states has kicked off in Yerevan.
The meeting is attended by Armenian Minister of Justice Srbuhi Galyan, Belarusian Minister of Justice Yevgeny Kovalenko (via video link), First Deputy Minister of Justice of Kyrgyzstan Saira Yzakova, Russian Minister of Justice Konstantin Chuychenko, Tajikistan’s Minister of Justice Muzaffar Ashuriyon, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Justice Akbar Tashkulov, Executive Secretary of the CIS Council of Ministers of Justice Irina Tselikovets, as well as heads of key organizations in the justice sector of CIS member states.
Welcoming the participants, Armenian Minister of Justice Srbuhi Galyan emphasized the importance of this platform for Armenia and noted that the meeting is also significant because it is being held in the year marking the 35th anniversary of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
“It is a great honor to host the participants of this anniversary meeting. Over the 35 years of the CIS’s existence, an extensive legal and treaty framework has been established. More than 560 international agreements are currently in force, while the unified register of legal acts contains more than 7,000 documents covering various fields. The CIS Interparliamentary Assembly has developed and adopted more than 400 model laws and recommendations. Mutual legal assistance mechanisms are being improved, and cooperation in the fields of notarial services and legal professional activities is also being strengthened. One year ago, our Council met in Minsk. Today, we can state with satisfaction that the agreements reached as a result of that meeting have been successfully implemented. I am confident that today’s dialogue will help identify promising areas for further cooperation,” Galyan said.
Belarusian Minister of Justice Yevgeny Kovalenko said that December will mark a significant and truly historic milestone: the 35th anniversary of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
“The signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of the CIS on December 8, 1991, opened a new chapter in the lives of our countries. Today, the Commonwealth stands as an unquestionably key regional organization in the post-Soviet space. Today, more than ever, CIS member states are interested in mutual support and active cooperation, using the formats offered by the Commonwealth to strengthen integration and promote the development of our countries. For us, as members of the Council, cooperation in the field of justice is of particular importance, as it is currently developing dynamically. The annual work plans of the Council clearly demonstrate this. They traditionally include dozens of joint forums, dialogue platforms, meetings, working groups and working bodies. The visit is packed with a variety of events, offering ample opportunities to exchange experience and best practices in the development of the justice sector. I am confident that close cooperation in the field of justice will help strengthen the foundations of fraternal ties among our peoples and serve our common goal of ensuring the best possible quality of life for our citizens,” Kovalenko said.
First Deputy Minister of Justice of Kyrgyzstan Saira Yzakova noted that a common legal space, mutual trust and respect for national legal systems constitute important foundations for cooperation.
“Today, amid rapid social and technological changes, it is particularly important not only to preserve the results already achieved but also to respond proactively to new challenges. We have broad opportunities for cooperation, ranging from introducing modern digital solutions into the work of justice authorities to improving legal mechanisms aimed at developing the probation system and ensuring access to legal assistance for citizens. I am confident that initiatives aimed at strengthening information exchange with the participation of the Ministry of Justice, as well as improving the legal culture and legal literacy of our citizens, will occupy a special place on our joint agenda. I am confident that the strength of our cooperation lies in our willingness to listen to one another, combine our professional expertise and turn common ideas into concrete results. May today's meeting serve as yet another confirmation of our commitment to constructive dialogue and strengthening cooperation in the interests of our states and citizens,” Yzakova said.
Russian Minister of Justice Konstantin Chuychenko noted that the event is taking place in the year of the CIS's 35th anniversary, an important and significant milestone.
“Although our countries also seek to cooperate within other integration formats, it is precisely the CIS that reminds us of the unprecedented level of historical, cultural, legal and humanitarian interconnectedness and commonality that we have inherited from our Soviet past. At the same time, we view cooperation within the CIS as a strategic means of transforming this common heritage into a resource for constructive, sovereign and mutually beneficial development in the legal sphere. Guided by these goals, we must acknowledge today that the long-term effectiveness of the CIS Council of Ministers of Justice will depend on our readiness to address new challenges and reach coordinated decisions on resolving them. We must act as architects of a unified, secure and technologically advanced legal space for cooperation, aimed at strengthening the rule of law and protecting the rights of our citizens. We are confident that today's event will enable us to make significant progress in this direction,” Chuychenko said.
Tajikistan’s Minister of Justice Muzaffar Ashuriyon noted that the meeting is an important platform for exchanging views, discussing pressing issues and developing coordinated approaches to addressing common challenges.
“I am confident that open dialogue, mutual respect and commitment to effective cooperation will enable us to strengthen existing partnerships and give new impetus to our joint efforts,” Ashuriyon said.
Uzbekistan’s Minister of Justice Akbar Tashkulov also expressed satisfaction that the meeting marking the 20th anniversary of the Council of Ministers of Justice is taking place in a symbolic year marking the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
“Over these years, the Council has become a reliable platform for trust-based relations and the exchange of experience among our countries. Uzbekistan remains committed to actively participating in joint efforts to harmonize legislation, develop mutual legal assistance and exchange best practices. I am confident that today's meeting will mark a new step toward strengthening legal cooperation within the CIS,” Tashkulov said.
The agenda of the 20th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Justice of CIS member states includes 14 items, including reports on the results of Armenia’s chairmanship and the progress in implementing decisions adopted at previous Council meetings. Discussion of these issues will make it possible to assess the work carried out and determine further steps toward implementing the agreements reached.
In addition, the agenda includes an exchange of views on the regulation of specific areas of activity of the ministries of justice. Draft decisions have been prepared for all agenda items and submitted for adoption. The draft decisions were previously provided to the relevant agencies and coordinated following expert consultations.