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Constructive interaction among the intelligence services of the CIS countries is crucial in the context of the current geopolitical tension, and it is important to prevent instability within the Commonwealth and in neighboring regions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his message of greeting to the 20th meeting of the heads of security and intelligence services of the CIS member states. The address was read out by Sergey Naryshkin, the director of the Foreign Intelligence Service, TASS reported.

"Today, in challenging geopolitical conditions, your constructive interaction is especially important," Putin said. "It is necessary to prevent destabilization both in the CIS and in the neighboring regions. For this, as before, it is essential to identify any negative trends and potential threats to collective security."

To strengthen security, intelligence services should not only scrutinize threats but also "forecast their development and exchange information and experience," Putin pointed out. "I am certain that this meeting will become a significant step in deepening partnership to the benefit of our state and people and enhancing peace and security in the cooperation space."

Putin described the meeting as a way "to build new forms and mechanisms of cooperation by intelligence services that are adequate to the challenges of the time.".