"The point is that Uzbekistan is not quitting the EurAsEC, it is suspending its membership. This is a sovereign right of the organization’s every member," the ministry said.

"This decision of the country’s leadership will not affect the development of our cooperation with Uzbekistan. We are planning to assist in the facilitation of integration processes within the CIS," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "As regards the decision on suspending the membership, one should think about the ways of formalizing it from the legal point of view," the ministry added.

"We suggested that all members of the EurAsEC express their opinions. Time will show how justified is Uzbekistan’s decision," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.