Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 9 October (BelTA) - Belarus successfully fulfills its functions of an extraordinary CIS President in 2014, Chairman of the Executive Committee, CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev told media on 9 October, BelTA has learned.

“Our Belarusian friends were ready to take up the CIS flag this year when Ukraine refused to preside in the CIS. I would like to say they are successfully fulfilling the presiding functions,” Sergei Lebedev said. Belarus held a wide range of events during its chairmanship. “Every week the Belarusian land hosted different events aimed at strengthening our friendship and cooperation in the CIS,” the Chairman of the Executive Committee noted.

Sergei Lebedev stressed that Belarus has always been an active integrator, an outspoken advocate of stronger ties between the CIS states.

In his words, on 10 October Minsk will host an important forum, the CIS Heads of State Council. “Considerable efforts of our foreign ministers, heads of delegations at today’s CIS Foreign Ministers Council resulted in nine documents that will be submitted to the heads of state tomorrow, coordinated and ready for signing,” Sergei Lebedev said. He also expressed confidence that all important events scheduled for 10 October would be well-organized.

Foreign Minister of Belarus Vladimir Makei noted for his part that today’s CIS Foreign Ministers Council opened a series of integration meetings that would continue in Minsk on 10 October. Vladimir Makei stressed that the CIS ministerial meeting was held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere. The meeting participants discussed the agenda which included 24 items. Decisions were taken on every issue on the agenda.