Events

MINSK, 15 October (BelTA) – A Belarusian delegation led by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Mikhnevich is taking part in the session of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council which is underway in Kazakhstan's capital city of Astana, spokesperson for the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dmitry Mironchik told journalists on 15 October, BelTA has learned.

The participants of the session gathered to discuss a number of draft statements by the CIS heads of state.

For example, the draft statement on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations reads that the CIS member states support the central role of the United Nations in ensuring peace, security and sustainable development. Besides, they are in favor of preserving the key role of the UN Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security indicated in the UN Charter. The importance of reforming the United Nations is also stressed.

The draft statement on combating international terrorism emphasizes that terrorism is becoming the biggest threat to peace and stability in the world. The countries of the CIS express grave concern over the current rise of extremist terrorist groups posing a direct threat to sustainable development of regions and the very existence of some states.

The participants of the session of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council will also discuss a draft statement on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. The statement reads that people living in areas contaminated by radiation from the Chernobyl accident still feel its impact despite the progress achieved in the development of legislation, healthcare, system of social protection, and radioactive contamination control. CIS member states are determined to continue their efforts to overcome the consequences of the disaster. Besides, they call for international cooperation in the implementation of targeted programs, projects and initiatives that complement the efforts of the countries of the CIS to develop the affected regions.