The Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed the Cooperation Agreement during the IPA session taking place on May 17, 2012 in Saint Petersburg.

A cooperation agreement between the Inter-parliamentary Assembly of Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed by the Chairperson of the Council of the IPA CIS, Ms. Valentina Matvienko and the Director General of the IOM, Mr. William Lacy Swing, at the Tavricheskiy Palace, has laid the grounds for closer cooperation in the area of CIS migration policy development and harmonization of CIS legislation in accordance with international laws.

Within the working meeting conducted in the framework of the visit, Ms. Valentina Matvienko and Mr. William Lacy Swing exchanged views on the migration challenges as well as the progress Governments have been making in addressing them.

“This agreement shows that the Interparliamentary Assembly of CIS states is committed to work with IOM to ensure managed migration further contributes to the socioeconomic development and well-being of CIS countries,” says William Lacy Swing.

"Interparliamentary Assembly of CIS states enjoys fruitful cooperation with the International organization for migration for many years. I hope that the signed Agreement will contribute to further development of collaboration between our organizations”- states Valentina Matvienko.