Russia Says Aid To CIS Countries Will Continue

Sergei Lavrov speaks at the Millennium Development Goals summit.

UNITED NATIONS -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow plans to continue to make international aid for Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries a priority.

Speaking today at the UN's Millennium Development Goals summit in New York, Lavrov said Russia has increased its contribution to international development aid from $220 million in 2008 to $800 million in 2009.

He said the bulk of the aid was aimed at CIS countries and Africa.

Lavrov also appealed to UN member states to support Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's initiative to create an environmental risk insurance fund.