Commonwealth of Independent States - History, Aim, Objectives, Member Countries, Activities & Role

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is an intergovernmental organization established in 1991 amongst the former nations of the Soviet Union. It is an association that coordinates to enable the free movement of goods, services, labor force, and capital among its member countries. It was constituted in 1991, and 12 countries hold its membership. It was constituted post the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

In this article, let us look at the commonwealth of independent states (CIS), its history, roles, and functions, what are the aims and objectives of CIS and the countries of the commonwealth of independent states in detail for the UPSC IAS Exam.

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What is Commonwealth Of Independent States (CIS)?

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a regional organization. It consists of former Soviet republics. It was established in December 1991. The CIS promotes cooperation among its member states. Members include Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and others. It facilitates economic, political, and cultural ties. The CIS serves as a forum for discussing common issues. It was formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

History of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

• The Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991, leading to the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
• The founding members of the CIS include Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine.
• The other republics of the Soviet Union joined the Commonwealth of Independent States after signing the Alma-Ata protocol. Presently, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has the below-mentioned countries as its members:
  • Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and the other states of Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Moldova, and Kyrgyzstan.
  • Although the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia were a part of the former Soviet Union, they never joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). However, Georgia withdrew its membership in 2009 and Ukraine in 2018. Hence, in contrast to the initial days of the formation of CIS, the count, and status of the member states have changed.
• The CIS meetings are conducted regularly on a rotational basis at the CIS countries’ capitals. The forums include the Council of Heads of State, the Council of Prime Ministers, and the Council of Foreign Ministers.

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Aims and Objectives of CIS

• The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) promotes economic, political, and military cooperation between the member states.
• It supports the economic and social advancements of the member states with a common economic space.
• It ensures human rights and fundamental freedom as per the principles acknowledged globally.
• It ensures global peace and security to enable cooperation among the member states.
• It peacefully settles disputes and clashes among the member states.

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Members of the Commonwealth of Independent States

At present, there are 12 countries in the Commonwealth of independent states. The below table gives the list of countries holding its membership. 

Commonwealth of Independent States headquarters is located in Minsk, Belarus. The other important department of CIS is the CIS Executive Committee that looks after the economic affairs and is located in Moscow, Russia.

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Activities of CIS

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) engages in various activities:

• Economic Cooperation: Promotes economic collaboration among member states, including trade agreements and joint ventures.
• Political Dialogue: Facilitates political discussions and consultations on regional and international issues.
• Cultural Exchange: Encourages cultural and educational exchanges to strengthen ties among member nations.
• Security Cooperation: Coordinates efforts on security matters, including counterterrorism and border control.
• Humanitarian Assistance: Provides aid and support during natural disasters and emergencies.
• Legal Frameworks: Develops legal agreements and frameworks to regulate member state interactions.
• Research and Information Sharing: Promotes research, information exchange, and data sharing among member countries.
• Sporting Events: Organizes and hosts sports competitions, fostering a sense of unity through athletic activities.
• Diplomatic Relations: Facilitates diplomatic relations and cooperation between member states and the international community.
• Conflict Resolution: Offers a platform for resolving regional conflicts and disputes through dialogue and negotiation.

Role of Commonwealth of Independent States

Here are some of the specific roles of the CIS:

• Economic cooperation: The CIS promotes economic cooperation among member states through a number of initiatives. This includes the creation of a free trade zone and the harmonization of customs regulations.
• Trade and investment: The CIS facilitates trade and investment among member states. It provides a forum for businesses to meet and negotiate agreements on trade and investment.
• Military and security cooperation: The CIS coordinates military and security cooperation among member states through a number of initiatives. This includes the creation of a joint peacekeeping force and the development of common security standards.
• Human rights and democracy: The CIS promotes human rights and democracy among member states. It provides a forum for discussion and monitors compliance with international standards.
• Humanitarian assistance: The CIS provides humanitarian assistance to member states that are affected by natural disasters or other emergencies.
• Cultural and scientific cooperation: The CIS promotes cultural and scientific cooperation among member states. This is achieved by providing funding for projects and by organizing events.

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CIS Collective Security Council

The CIS Collective Security Council is a significant component of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). It consists of heads of state from member countries. Its primary goal is to ensure the collective security of CIS nations. The Council addresses regional security issues and threats. It coordinates efforts to combat terrorism, drug trafficking, and organized crime. Decisions made by the Council are binding on member states. The Council has a role in conflict resolution and peacekeeping within the CIS region. It enhances military cooperation and coordination among member nations. The CIS Collective Security Council plays a vital role in maintaining stability and peace in the CIS area.

We hope your doubts regarding the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) would have been addressed after going through this article. Testbook provides good quality learning material for different competitive examinations. Master your preparations for the UPSC IAS exam by downloading the Testbook App now!