rki.news | Source: Anadolu Agency
AVAZA, Turkmenistan: Foreign ministers of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member countries on Wednesday adopted a joint statement supporting measures to prevent an arms race in outer space.
The statement was adopted during a meeting of CIS foreign ministers in Turkmenistan’s Avaza National Tourist Zone on the Caspian Sea coast, ahead of the organization’s leaders’ summit scheduled for Friday.
According to the CIS statement, member states conduct activities related to exploring and using outer space in the interests of international cooperation, mutual understanding, international peace and security.
The ministers expressed serious concern over the prospect of an arms race in outer space and its possible transformation into an arena of military confrontation, warning that such developments could undermine global stability.
The statement said banning the deployment of weapons in space, along with other measures, could help prevent a serious threat to international peace and security.
The joint statement was among several documents adopted during the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers meeting.
Foreign ministers from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attended the meeting. Armenia’s deputy foreign minister and Kyrgyzstan’s first deputy foreign minister also participated.
The CIS was established in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union to promote cooperation in economic, political and security affairs.
Its full members include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Turkmenistan holds associate membership, while Moldova suspended participation in CIS meetings in 2022.
CIS Ministers Back Measures to Prevent Outer Space Arms Race
