ABSTRACT
On 8 December 1991 in Viskuli, Belarus, the leaders of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine have signed the Agreement on Establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). At present, the CIS comprises 12 young sovereign States. The CIS serves the further development and strengthening of relations of friendship, good neighborhood, international harmony, trust, mutual understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation between its Member States. The CIS facilitates the realization of cooperation in political, economic, environmental, humanitarian, cultural and other spheres; universal and balanced economic and social development of Member States under the framework of common economic space, interstate cooperation and integration. It also facilitates the cooperation between Member States to ensure international peace and security; and peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts between States of the Commonwealth. The CIS facilitates assistance for citizens of Member States in free interaction, contacts and movement in the CIS.
