10.04.2013
Belarus intends to work towards CIS free trade area in services
MINSK, 10 April (BelTA) - In the year of its CIS Chairmanship Belarus will work actively on the preparation of an agreement on the CIS free trade area in services, Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said in an interview to the Belarus 1 TV Channel.
Belarus intends to continue working on the CIS free trade area in 2013, which is the year of its Chairmanship in the CIS. The CIS free trade area agreement was signed in 2011 but so far it has been ratified by only six countries: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine. Moreover, there are exceptions to free trade in part of the application of national regimes and subsidies. But these exemptions are temporary, and the annex to the agreement specifies that part of them will be eliminated after the accession of the states to the World Trade Organization. Other exceptions will be lifted by approximately 2021, the minister said. “During our Chairmanship we intend to work hard on the preparation of an agreement on the CIS free trade area in services ", Vladimir Makei said.
There are also plans to intensify cooperation of the CIS countries in the environmental field. “The use of hydrocarbons is beneficial for a number of countries. But we believe that we need to think about the future, about what we leave to the next generations. Now our scientists are working on alternative energy. We have already suggested a list of specific regional projects which aim to promote alternative energy, facilitate the financing of these projects, which are directed to the future,” Vladimir Makei said.
Commenting on the CIS Foreign Ministers Council meeting in Tashkent, Vladimir Makei noted that it was held in a constructive and business-like atmosphere. “Decisions in any integration entity should aim to benefit people. This is our position during our chairmanship in the CIS. All the issues on the agenda of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council meeting were discussed from this point of view,” he said. The parties made great headway in the matters regarding education, security, law enforcement, IT and tourism.
The participants of the meeting approved the draft agreement on recognition of higher and vocational education diplomas. The move will help the countries develop the common education space in the CIS, Vladimir Makei said. The parties also approved the draft agreement on the joint rapid response force of border troops on the external borders of the CIS. Besides, the participants of the meeting talked over the development of concerted action to respond to certain situations that arise in hot spots around the globe. Progress has been made in addressing the issues related to information security.
The next meeting of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council is due to take place in Minsk in autumn 2013.
Speaking about Belarus, the minister stressed that the state has been working hard to find new markets. “There are markets where we can bring our business to and gain a firm foothold,” he said. Today Minsk will host the Foreign Minister of Latvia. Belarus’ high-level delegation is attending the Belarusian-Lithuania economic forum. “We are determined to develop a constructive dialogue with every state using the principles of equality and mutual respect,” Vladimir Makei stated.
Belarus intends to continue working on the CIS free trade area in 2013, which is the year of its Chairmanship in the CIS. The CIS free trade area agreement was signed in 2011 but so far it has been ratified by only six countries: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine. Moreover, there are exceptions to free trade in part of the application of national regimes and subsidies. But these exemptions are temporary, and the annex to the agreement specifies that part of them will be eliminated after the accession of the states to the World Trade Organization. Other exceptions will be lifted by approximately 2021, the minister said. “During our Chairmanship we intend to work hard on the preparation of an agreement on the CIS free trade area in services ", Vladimir Makei said.
There are also plans to intensify cooperation of the CIS countries in the environmental field. “The use of hydrocarbons is beneficial for a number of countries. But we believe that we need to think about the future, about what we leave to the next generations. Now our scientists are working on alternative energy. We have already suggested a list of specific regional projects which aim to promote alternative energy, facilitate the financing of these projects, which are directed to the future,” Vladimir Makei said.
Commenting on the CIS Foreign Ministers Council meeting in Tashkent, Vladimir Makei noted that it was held in a constructive and business-like atmosphere. “Decisions in any integration entity should aim to benefit people. This is our position during our chairmanship in the CIS. All the issues on the agenda of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council meeting were discussed from this point of view,” he said. The parties made great headway in the matters regarding education, security, law enforcement, IT and tourism.
The participants of the meeting approved the draft agreement on recognition of higher and vocational education diplomas. The move will help the countries develop the common education space in the CIS, Vladimir Makei said. The parties also approved the draft agreement on the joint rapid response force of border troops on the external borders of the CIS. Besides, the participants of the meeting talked over the development of concerted action to respond to certain situations that arise in hot spots around the globe. Progress has been made in addressing the issues related to information security.
The next meeting of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council is due to take place in Minsk in autumn 2013.
Speaking about Belarus, the minister stressed that the state has been working hard to find new markets. “There are markets where we can bring our business to and gain a firm foothold,” he said. Today Minsk will host the Foreign Minister of Latvia. Belarus’ high-level delegation is attending the Belarusian-Lithuania economic forum. “We are determined to develop a constructive dialogue with every state using the principles of equality and mutual respect,” Vladimir Makei stated.