After the collapse of the USSR, the question arose about the further development of the geopolitical situation in the region. On December 8, 1991, a decision was made to form a new international community of states. In signing the main document
attended by the heads of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia. The place of signing was the residence of Viskuli, located on the territory of Belovezhskaya Pushcha in Belarus. The result of the signing was the recognition of the demise of the Soviet Union and the formation of the CIS. The Commonwe alth countries agreed to build relations based on the recognition of the state sovereignty of each member. On December 10, the document was ratified by the legislative bodies of Ukraine and Belarus, and on December 12 - by Russia.
Addition of new countries
On December 13, 1991, Ashgabat hosted a meeting of the heads of the following states: Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The result was
a joint statement of intent was madejoin the CIS. Countries agreed to join the new organization only on conditions of complete equality. The next important milestone in the history of the Commonwe alth was the meeting of the republics of the former USSR in Alma-Ata in December 1991. Only Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia were absent. The signed declaration clarified the basic principles of the new organization. In April 1994, the map of the CIS countries expanded even more, as the general agreement was ratified by Moldova. It became the last country to accept this agreement.
Symbolics
The symbol of the Commonwe alth is the blue flag, which depicts the emblem of the CIS in the form of a white figure framing a golden circle. As conceived by the author, the composition embodies the desire for equality, cooperation, stability and peace. The aspect ratio of the flag is 1:2. The image of the flag of the CIS countries cannot be used for commercial purposes. The order and places of its hanging are strictly regulated by a special
The position. For violations of these norms, the perpetrators are liable under the legislation of the state that became the place of such an offense.
The highest authority
This body is the Council of Heads of State. Its mandate includes resolving key issues of the CIS activities. Countries delegate their representatives to the Council 2 times a year. All decisions in it are made by consensus. All heads of state preside over the Council in turn. The heads of governments of the member countries of the Commonwe alth also convene the Council twice a year. It coordinates joint actionsexecutive authorities.
Ukraine and Georgia
Countries belonging to the CIS, at their discretion, ratify any regulatory acts of the Commonwe alth governing bodies. The situation with Ukraine is in a "suspended" state. This country has not yet fulfilled the conditions for accession and has not accepted the CIS Charter. Therefore, from a legal point of view, it does not have the status of a member of the Commonwe alth. Georgia officially ceased its participation in the CIS in 2009, having notified the relevant Commonwe alth bodies about it a year before leaving. The basis was the unanimous decision of the Georgian Parliament on August 14, 2008.
