Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 25 October (BelTA) – The CIS member states are absolutely capable of shaping their own development agenda regardless of the situation on the international market, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the restricted participation session of the CIS Council of Heads of State on 25 October, BelTA has learnt.

According to Vladimir Putin, the efforts should be focused on the economic field, because the economic growth in the CIS member states in 2012 was estimated at 3.4% in 2012, while this year the figure will make up only 1.8%. “The same can be said about investments that shrank considerably,” the Russian President said.

“Naturally, these trends cannot be viewed separately from the situation on the global market, and this situation leaves much to be desired. However, our countries are absolutely capable of shaping their own development agenda, generating ambitious investment projects, and improving business climate without waiting until the situation on the foreign markets gets better,” Vladimir Putin said.

He believes that to be able to withstand the impact of external shocks, the CIS member states need to strengthen integration links. “The CIS free trade zone treaty of 2011 can be hailed as an important move in this direction. I hope that the free trade zone will develop and have a positive impact on trade and economic contacts. It is important to establish a predictable and safe business environment in our countries. This will be the focus of the Interstate Anti-Corruption Council that will be set up,” the Russian President said.

Vladimir Putin deems it necessary to intensify cooperation in law enforcement. A number of medium-term programs were reconciled by the start of the session. These programs envisage concrete measures to combat organized crime, terrorism, illegal trade in narcotic drugs. The concept of joint efforts to fight IT crimes was drafted.

Speaking about plans to announce the year 2014 the CIS Year of Tourism Vladimir Putin emphasized that among Russia’s priorities is elaboration of the cooperation development strategy in tourism for the period until 2020. “The CIS member states boast a wealth of cultural, historical and natural landmarks. We need to make them more reachable, develop the regional transport infrastructure, invest in the construction of joint facilities,” the Russian President said.

He mentioned Belarus-Russia joint project to create a tourist water way on the Dnieper Dnieper along the ancient trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks. The Russian President deems it necessary to keep working on preserving and strengthening the common humanitarian space in the Commonwealth. “The 8^th Forum of Creative and Academic Intellectuals of the Commonwealth of Independent States was held in Minsk a month ago and was a success. I am convinced that such events will contribute to closer ties in culture, science and education,” the Russian President said.

Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of joint preparations to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War: “Our common duty to the generation of victors is to celebrate this anniversary in a decent way”.

Other participants of the session upheld all the matters included into the agenda of the summit. They pledged to facilitate the all-round cooperation between the CIS member states.