Surkov returns as Putin’s aide in charge of cooperation with CIS, Abkhazia, S.Ossetia

Top Russian politician, Vladislav Surkov, has been appointed presidential aide and will deal with social and economic cooperation issues with Russia’s allies, specifically in the South Caucasus. He resigned as deputy prime minister in early May. While in government, Surkov was in charge of priority national programs. His new appointment was announced on Friday evening, hours after the State Duma approved another presidential aide, Tatyana Golikova, as the head of the Audit Chamber. Surkov will be in charge of the same issues Golikova was responsible for, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.