Serzh Sargsyan: Armenia repeatedly noted the need to unite efforts in  confronting international terrorism, extremism and organized crime

ArmInfo.The agenda of today's meeting, the list of issues included in it reflects the  effectiveness of the active chairmanship of the Russian Federation in the Commonwealth, aimed primarily at the further development of the CIS, taking into account its adaptation to contemporary realities. This was stated by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, speaking at the CIS summit in Sochi.

In his speech in particular, the President said: "I would like to  dwell on several topics that are relevant for the Commonwealth and  interstate cooperation. A number of substantive discussions were  started on a number of issues reflected in last year's decision on  adaptation. We support this process, which should find a real  manifestation in the cooperation of interested states in all possible  areas of interaction.

Another important area of joint work is cooperation in the  humanitarian sphere. We support the Statement on the support of the  family and traditional family values proposed by the Russian side,  knowing full well that the institution of the family is the basis of  society, and also the unifying factor of the people.

Being interested in expanding cooperation in the humanitarian sphere,  we believe that the Interstate Program "Cultural Capitals" is a  useful initiative in the preservation and development of cultural  ties of the CIS countries.

Next year it is planned to declare the Armenian city of Goris the  cultural capital of the Commonwealth. We invite the representatives  of the CIS countries to the events that will take place during the  year in this beautiful corner of the Syunik region of Armenia.

I also want to emphasize the significance of the 2019 announcement -  the Year of the Book, and 2020 - the Year of the 75th Anniversary of  the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Five years ago, in connection with the 500th anniversary of Armenian  printing, UNESCO proclaimed Yerevan the world capital of the book -  an event that we widely celebrated with the participation of guests,  including from the CIS countries. Attaching great importance to the  development of human capital, we have identified the expansion of the  circle of readers as the leitmotif of numerous events, since to have  a reading - a developed society for us is a vital condition.

I am sure that the forthcoming anniversary of the Great Victory is  another reason to honor the memory of those who died in the fight  against fascism. In Armenia there is no family that would have  bypassed this tragedy: every second Armenian, called to the front,  has not returned. It is also a good opportunity to jointly oppose  attempts to reanimate the ideology of fascism, the spread of  xenophobia and racism in the world.

Armenia has repeatedly noted the need to unite the efforts of the  international community in confronting such manifestations as  international terrorism, extremism and organized crime. I support the  adoption of relevant documents regulating the interaction of the CIS  countries in the sphere of combating money laundering, drug  trafficking, financing of terrorism and other crimes of an  international character.

In conclusion, I would like to wish good luck to our Tajik colleagues  and personally to President Emomali Rahmon, who takes the  chairmanship in the Commonwealth, to express readiness to assist in  the implementation of the planned plans in the interests of the CIS."