MOSCOW 

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries discussed the issues of arms control and disarmament at two separate meetings in the Belarusian capital Minsk on Thursday. 

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry statement, the meetings were held "in a constructive manner," and the parties discussed a wide range of issues, including non-proliferation, preventing arms race in space, biological security, control over conventional arms in Europe.

Also, the role of the Organization and Security Cooperation in Europe was touched upon.

The ministry said that the two events "made it possible to outline ways to further develop cooperation between the CIS member states in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation."