Events

MOSCOW, 4 April (BelTA) – Belarus took over the CIS Chairmanship at the CIS Foreign Ministers Council meeting chaired by Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei in Moscow on 4 April, BelTA has learnt.

Vladimir Makei stressed in his speech that Belarus had expressed readiness to fulfill the functions of the chairman in view of Ukraine’s termination of its Chairmanship in the CIS. Thus, this year Belarus will preside at the meetings of the CIS Heads of State Council, the CIS Heads of Government Council and the CIS Foreign Ministers Council.

According to Vladimir Makei, Belarus has taken over the CIS Chairmanship in a so-called extraordinary situation. “However, there is a need to outline our conceptual approaches,” he noted.

The Foreign Minister stressed that during its CIS Chairmanship Belarus would prioritize the strengthening of good neighborly relations in the CIS, quality and conscientious preparation for the CIS meetings. Belarus will focus its attention on the coordination of the activity of the CIS sectoral bodies, the implementation of the CIS free trade zone. Belarus will also hold under control the development of the CIS zone of free trade in services, the abolition of economic duties and other issues.