Zakharova called the start of negotiations in Alma Ata sparkling because of Lavrov's joke

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, announcing the topic of the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) The CIS in Alma Ata noted that its participants would discuss the coordination of steps "in the interests of strengthening security and stability in the Central Asian region." However, the meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Kazakh counterpart Murat Nurtleu on April 10 began with a joke.

"Sergey Lavrov's talks with his Kazakh counterpart in Alma Ata began with a traditionally sparkling manner," the diplomat noted in her Telegram channel.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan offered to take a photo with a handshake, noting that "protocol insists."

"On what? Someone, for example, insists on a carnation," Lavrov replied.

Leadership in Action: What the Russian Federation has achieved during its year of CIS chairmanship

And which of the Commonwealth leaders came to the informal summit in St. Petersburg

The Russian Foreign Minister arrived in Alma Ata on April 9 to attend a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers. He is expected to attend a meeting of the CIS Foreign Ministers on April 11 and hold a separate meeting with the heads of foreign ministries of Central Asian countries.

Zakharova said at a briefing on April 9 that during the meeting it is planned to discuss a wide range of issues of political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation that are most relevant for Russia and Central Asian countries.