Events

MINSK, 19 December (BelTA) – Belarus’ Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei has confirmed Belarus’ commitment to strengthening integration within the framework of the CIS. He made this statement as he spoke with reporters at the CIS Executive Committee headquarters that hosts a session of the Council of Permanent Plenipotentiary Representatives of the States-Participants of the Commonwealth under Charter and Other Bodies of the Commonwealth on 19 December, BelTA has learnt.

Vladimir Makei noted that during Belarus’ chairmanship in the CIS, over 70 important events were conducted; some of them are bearing fruit already.

“As for our vision of the CIS development prospects, we view the Commonwealth as an essential factor of international activities contributing to economic and social stability in our region,” he said. The Foreign Minister added that the Belarusian head of state had made a statement about it during the Minsk summit in October 2013.

Vladimir Makei emphasized that the CIS Executive Committee can always rely on support on the part of Belarus.

Speaking about Belarus’ chairmanship in the CIS, Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee - CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev noted that the year 2013 was packed with numerous events in economy, humanitarian field and security. He noted that a lot of measures were taken to intensify cooperation in environmental protection, as the year 2013 was declared the CIS Year of Environment upon Belarus’ initiative.