Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 December (BelTA) – Belarus has implemented the CIS chairmanship concept by and large in 2013, Belarus’ Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said at a session of the Council of Permanent Plenipotentiary Representatives of the CIS Member States under Charter and Other Bodies of the Commonwealth on 19 December, BelTA has learnt.

Vladimir Makei pointed to the fruitful work of the session of the CIS Council of Heads of State in Minsk on 25 October, the CIS Council of Heads of Government in Minsk on 31 May and in Saint Petersburg on 20 November, four sessions of the Economic Council, 12 sessions of the Council of Permanent Plenipotentiary Representatives and the Economic Affairs Commission, 83 sessions of sectoral councils and a number of other important events that took place in Belarus and other CIS member states in 2013.

The Foreign Minister mentioned the highlights of Belarus’ presidency in the CIS. In his words, the focus on economic cooperation facilitated gradual implementation the free trade area agreement and helped flesh out the interstate innovative development program, which gave momentum to the negotiations on the free trade area agreement on services.

Vladimir Makei welcomed progress in the formation of the CIS common agricultural market and successes in promoting contacts between economic operators of the CIS member states. In his words, this was in many ways due to the Business Forum, Belarusian Industrial Forum, conferences, exhibitions and trade fairs.

“Belarus seeks to use the innovative potential of the Commonwealth with a view to facilitating access to green technologies. The ultimate goals are technical upgrade and economic modernization of the CIS economies using the green solutions, renewable energy sources and local fuels,” the Belarusian Foreign Minister said. He noted that one of the most remarkable events that happened in the CIS Year of Ecological Culture and Environmental Protection was signing a cooperation agreement in environmental protection. Vladimir Makei reminded that the agreement was initiated by Belarus. A total of about 40 environmental events were held during Belarus’ chairmanship in the CIS.

“The 8^th Forum of Creative and Academic Intellectuals of the Commonwealth of Independent States that took place in Minsk helped identify the most promising cooperation areas in environmental protection, culture, education and science and outline cooperation prospects with other international organizations, including UNESCO. The project "Mogilev is the CIS Capital of Culture in 2013" was a success. The project helped promote cooperation in culture between the CIS member states,” the Foreign Minister noted.

Vladimir Makei added that an action plan was drafted to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

“It is encouraging that this year marked a series of important events designed to promote our cooperation in economy, humanitarian field and security. These events were held in nearly all the CIS member states,” the minister said.

He thanked all the participating states for their strong support for Belarus during its chairmanship. He expressed confidence that Ukraine that will assume CIS presidency in 2014 will keep advancing integration in the interests of the CIS nations.