The President of Belarus is on a working visit to Russia

The traditional informal meeting of the CIS leaders took place in Leningrad Oblast the previous day. President of Belarus A. Lukashenko took part in the event. The meeting was opened by the President of Russia. On behalf of the CIS leaders, Vladimir Putin expressed condolences in connection with the crash of an Azerbaijani plane in Kazakhstan. As for the agenda, good dynamics in the economy was noted: Russia's trade turnover with the CIS countries is growing and now amounts to more than $93 bln. The proposal to create an International Association of Volunteer and Non-Profit Organisations under the CIS was supported. All the leaders were also invited to the celebration of the 80^th anniversary of the Great Victory in Moscow. A meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council will be held today. About two dozen issues are on the agenda. Among them are strategic directions of the Union's activities, including the formation of common energy markets, further harmonisation of legislation, prospects for cooperation with third countries. Lukashenko is expected to announce the goals and priorities of the Belarusian chairmanship in the EAEU next year.