Opening the meeting Azerbaijan Cultural and Tourism Minister Abulfaz Garayev said that during 10 years 20 meetings of the Council were organised and approximately 30 issues were discussed.

The Minister stated that various meetings contributed to the maintenance of the friendship relations within this period during Azerbaijan's chairmanship. The Minister noted that Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan were represented ministers and Moldova, Uzbekistan, Ukraine by ambassadors.

He delivered President Ilham Aliyev's greeting message to the participants, APA reports.

CIS deputy executive chairman Samat Ordabayev said the council appreciates former Culture Minister Polad Bulbiloglu’s activity. Stressing the importance of continuing the cooperation in the humanitarian field Mr. Ordabayev stated that the report on the cooperation in this field would be submitted during the Minsk Summit of the heads of CIS countries which will be held on October 17, 2006.

Mr. Ordabayev also noted that heads of CIS countries supported the cooperation in the cultural area and most of those countries agree with the proposal of establishing Cultural Cooperation Fund. After the approval of the agenda, the meeting continued without participation of media representatives.