Russia attaches special importance to cooperation in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at Monday’s Meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government, RIA Novosti reported.

One of the important respective matters is the agreement on free trade of services to be signed next June. According to Mishustin this document will create a basis for raising the relations between the CIS member countries to a new level.

The Russian premier recalled that the chairmanship of the CIS will be passed to Russia next year.

Mishustin emphasized that the CIS countries have considerable industrial, energy, and agricultural potential, as well as rich natural resources, and talented personnel.

"Joining of efforts, dynamic fruitful activity will open additional opportunities for close interregional cooperation for the development of all participants. This is the priority of the [forthcoming] Russian chairmanship," added the Russian PM.

To note, Armenia also is a member in the Commonwealth of Independent States.