ST. PETERSBURG, December 26. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited all CIS countries to join the implementation of Russia's humanitarian initiatives, in particular, the establishment of a Eurasian Academy of Cinematographic Art and Eurasian Film Awards.
"I would also like to address you with a reminder about Russia’s initiatives for creating a Eurasian Academy of Cinematographic Art and establishing Eurasian Film Awards, and for reviving the Intervision international popular song contest. I do count on your favorable response," Putin said at an informal meeting of the CIS heads of state. He added that he was inviting all Commonwealth countries to take part in these projects.
"I think it will be interesting, informative and useful for the peoples of our countries," he said.
While speaking about humanitarian cooperation, Putin recalled that a treaty on the establishment of the International Organization for the Russian Language was signed at the Bishkek summit on October 13. He believes that this organization, headquartered in Sochi, is called to promote the Russian language not only in the CIS, but also beyond its borders.
"In the process of preparing this document, this treaty, everyone agreed that the Russian language is the most important consolidating document in the post-Soviet space and the key to mutual understanding and free communication for hundreds of millions of men and women in the CIS countries," the Russian leader stressed.
In general, Putin said, humanitarian cooperation is developing progressively and successfully. It is based on centuries-old common history and tightly intertwined cultures.
"It is not by chance that you and I walked about the historical part of our once united state. I know that Kazakhstan’s president [Kassym-Jomart Tokayev] has prepared a special report on this issue," Putin said, adding that it would be delivered behind closed doors.