Bilateral talks within the CIS summit started with Mr Putin’s talk to Armenian President Robert Kocharian.
As he met with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov, Mr Putin said that Russia was determined to step up its economic partnership with Tajikistan. Mr Putin stressed the successful development of bilateral political contacts and an anti-terrorist alliance. He highly appreciated the contribution of Tajikistan, a frontline state, to the cause of regional stability.
Mr Putin also met with Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev to exchange opinions on relevant issues of bilateral cooperation and interaction on the international stage.
As he met with Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, the two leaders said that their bilateral energy relations had normalised. Joint decisions in that sphere could promote a major price reduction for public consumers, Mr Putin said.
As he met with Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin, Mr Putin said he was sure that the Moldovan leadership would settle its domestic political problems by diplomatic measures alone. He reassured that Russia would support the Moldovan leaders in economic matters.
Mr Putin thanked Mr Voronin for settling issues related to the use of the Russian language in Moldova.