"Moldova will chair the Commonwealth in 2009. This is a trying time for the world economy and finances. The CIS countries should protect their interests and pool their efforts to overcome the global economic and financial crisis. The Russian leadership is willing to offer the greatest possible assistance to its Moldovan partners in solving those problems."
"Our Moldovan partners have proposed Chisinau as the venue for the 4th forum of the CIS scientific and cultural intelligentsia. We greet this initiative and shall offer it every support."
"I should add that Russia endorses developing CIS integration, including cultural ties. In 2006, we fostered the founding of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation. Today we will decide on making a voluntary donation to the fund. These funds will be spent on joint research, cultural and educational projects."