YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The Council of CIS Prime Ministers failed to adopt a resolution regarding the tenth anniversary of the Spitak earthquake as Azerbaijan opposed the relevant proposal made by Armenia. At a news conference which followed the meeting–Russia’s Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin voiced regret over the matter–describing the Spitak earthquake as an unprecedented tragedy. He stressed that Russian construction workers are still working in Spitak.
In response to Armenia’s proposal–Azerbaijan suggested adopting a resolution on all disasters and calamities throughout the CIS. The parties did not arrive at a common agreement–and Armenia’s Prime Minister withdrew Armenia’s proposal.
During the meeting–CIS Prime Ministers discussed more than 20 issues. They also considered a proposal to hold a conference on CIS development strategy in April. The agenda of the meeting included economic and military cooperation issues. Armenia’signed most of the agreemen’s.
Speaking of the weakness of the CIS–Robert Kocharian said that CIS-member countries are reluctant to sacrifice their own interests for the sake of the Commonwealth. He voiced hope that in the course of time the effectiveness of the CIS may grow.