A Central Asian economic group on Saturday formally approved Russia's membership bid, giving Moscow a chance to restore its influence in this strategic, energy-rich region. Russia announced its intention in May to join the Central Asian Cooperation Organization, which was established in 2001 to improve trade ties among its members. The foreign ministers of the group's members _ Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgystan _ approved Russia's membership Saturday. The leaders of the five countries are expected to hold a ceremony in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, in October. The organization has marked little progress in the three years since its founding due to border disputes, ethnic tensions, economic hardship and security concerns. Russia pushed to join the organization amid increased efforts to have greater influence in Central Asia. --more 1451 Local Time 1151 GMT
