Russian President Vladimir Putin onFriday emphasized that the work with members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a priority in the Russian foreign policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin onFriday emphasized that the work with members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a priority in the Russian foreign policy. "The work in the Commonwealth is a priority direction of our foreign policy doctrine; such an approach should become a principle of the government's work, of all the departments concerned," Putin said at a meeting of the Security Council on Friday, He noted "the cooperation with Russia should be attractive and give our neighbors visible preferences and advantages." "We shouldoffer them more effective and competitive options to resolve common problems in economy, politics, humanitarian issues and the sphere of security," the president said. Putin also called for preferential treatment of Russia's partners of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which wasset up in 1992. He stressed that it's necessary to study the needs of Russia's allies without detriment to itself. It meant, Putin explained, among other things, "assistance in settling regional conflicts, defense from common threats, reinforcement of borders, technical modernization, and the training of armies".