Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev does not consider that the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)—which Armenia likewise is a member in—has died.

In his words, CIS continues to remain a collaboration format especially for those countries—like Armenia—that are not members in the Customs and the Eurasian Economic Unions.

“In terms of integration attachment, it [i.e., the CIS] secures a minimum level in several matters. But it’s all the same; the CIS member countries can never offer anything better than that in relations between each other,” Medvedev told journalists, reported RIA Novosti news agency of Russia.

The Russian PM also expressed a conviction that the recent signing—by Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan—of the agreement on the creation of the Eurasian Economic Union marks the building of a “highway of mutual relations between countries.”

“But we need to continue the contacts with other countries which aren’t ready, or don’t wish to form a union with us, or don’t have a legal basis for a union. These countries are very important for us and they continue to remain our partners. And in this sense, the CIS’ significance is maintained at any rate,” Dmitry Medvedev stated.