CIS Foreign Ministers to Meet in Ashgabat
CIS Foreign Ministers to Meet in Ashgabat
When foreign ministers from the Commonwealth of Independent States, CIS, meet on April 10, they will gather, unusually, in the Turkmen capital in Ashgabat.
Turkmenistan has only the status of associated member in the CIS.
Top of the agenda for the ministers is discussion of a common policy on migration among the members of this grouping of former Soviet states.
In the current global economic crisis, the prospect of a return of labour migrants will affect Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan too – which is a CIS member but often cold-shoulders such events. NBCentral Asia observers say both states are likely to become more involved in CIS efforts to coordinate plans for dealing with the crisis.
There are no data for how many people from Turkmenistan work abroad, but the easing of travel restrictions over the past two years has encouraged more people to move.
Uzbek human rights activists estimate about five million of a population of 27 million are away in Russia and Kazakstan.
Turkmenistan has only the status of associated member in the CIS.
Top of the agenda for the ministers is discussion of a common policy on migration among the members of this grouping of former Soviet states.
In the current global economic crisis, the prospect of a return of labour migrants will affect Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan too – which is a CIS member but often cold-shoulders such events. NBCentral Asia observers say both states are likely to become more involved in CIS efforts to coordinate plans for dealing with the crisis.
There are no data for how many people from Turkmenistan work abroad, but the easing of travel restrictions over the past two years has encouraged more people to move.
Uzbek human rights activists estimate about five million of a population of 27 million are away in Russia and Kazakstan.
