Russian general: CIS integration wanted

MOSCOW, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The military leaders of former Soviet republics said Friday they want more integration of their armed forces, the head of the Russian general staff said.

Gen. Nicolai Makarov met with his counterparts from the Commonwealth of Independent States, RIA Novosti reported. The group includes Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.

"All participants noted the necessity of building their national armies on integration principles within the commonwealth," Makarov said.

Georgia left the CIS in 2009. Seven of the organization's members, mostly in central Asia, are also allied in the Collective Security Treaty Organization.