The 82nd meeting of the Council of Heads of Customs Services of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was held on June 11 in Buraboy, Kazakhstan, according to the Customs Service under the Government of Tajikistan.

The meeting was attended by Khurshed Karimzoda, head of Tajikistan’s Customs Service, along with heads of customs services from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Uzbekistan, as well as a representative of the CIS Executive Committee.

In his remarks, Mikhail Miskin, director of the Department of Economic Cooperation of the CIS Executive Committee, highlighted the upcoming 35th anniversary of the CIS and provided information on the establishment of the new “CIS Plus” format of expanded cooperation and the granting of observer status under the CIS to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Participants noted that these initiatives provide a favorable foundation for expanding cooperation and strengthening dialogue with countries and international organizations that share common goals.

During the meeting, the customs services of the CIS member states signed a Memorandum of Understanding on simplifying transit transportation. Participants also reviewed nine agenda items and adopted relevant decisions.

On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the CIS, employees of customs services from member states who actively contributed to the work of the Council and to the development of international customs cooperation were awarded commemorative badges of the Council of Heads of Customs Services of the CIS member states.