membership to regional economic group Astana, Kazakhstan, Aug 28, SPA -- A Central Asian economic groupon Saturday formally approved Russia's membership bid,giving Moscow a chance to restore its influence in thisstrategic, energy-rich region. Russia announced its intention in May to join the CentralAsian Cooperation Organization, which was established in2001 to improve trade ties among its members. The foreign ministers of the group's members _ Kazakhstan,Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgystan _ approved Russia'smembership Saturday. The leaders of the five countries areexpected to hold a ceremony in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe,in October. The organization has marked little progress in the threeyears since its founding due to border disputes, ethnictensions, economic hardship and security concerns. Russia pushed to join the organization amid increasedefforts to have greater influence in Central Asia.--more1451 Local Time 1151 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/195919