DUSHANBE, October 8, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Senior commanders of border guard troops from ten former Soviet republics – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan – gathered in the Armenian mountain resort of Tsakhkadzor on October 7 for the 66th meeting of their permanent council operating within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Discussions reportedly centered on further coordination of their activities aimed at protecting the vast external borders of the CIS.

The press center of Armenia’s National Security Council reports the meeting participants, in particular, considered issues related to interaction in settling border crisis situations, countering illegal migration, drug trafficking and smuggling as well as reviewed the results of joint events held this year.

Besides, members of the council worked out the plan of actions for 2012 and discussed a number of other issues.          

Established on July 6, 1992, the Council of CIS Border Guard Commanders is a collective body of the Council of Heads of State and the Council of Heads of Government on issues of coordination, control of external borders and economic zones of the Commonwealth of Independent States.