Belarus’ CIS presidency plan almost fulfilled

MINSK, 20 September (BelTA) – The majority of items on the plan of Belarus’ presidency in the CIS have been already fulfilled, BelTA learnt from the presidential press service citing Foreign Minister of Belarus Vladimir Makei as saying following the government session held on 19 September to discuss current economic and foreign policy matters.

Vladimir Makei updated on the progress made in the preparation for the meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council that is due in Minsk on 25 October. In his words, the bulk of more than 70 items on the plan of Belarus’ presidency in the CIS had been realized already. Belarus’ chairmanship in the CIS is titled as Integration for the Good of the People and all its events are aimed at the integration processes which benefit the CIS peoples.

Speaking about concrete organizational and technical moments in the preparations for the summit, Vladimir Makei noted that invitations had been sent to all the CIS heads of state. It is expected that the final confirmation of attendance will be received from the CIS presidents some two or three weeks ahead of the summit.

According to Vladimir Makei, the Belarusian side coordinated with the CIS Executive Committee the agenda of the CIS Heads of State Council enlarged meeting. It will include 14 priority issues related to cooperation in the CIS, the fight against crimes, corruption, addiction, trafficking in human beings and the issues of economic cooperation.

Belarus plans to provide a wide media coverage of the event. In particular, the country has prepared information leaflets about the summit and the CIS member states. There are also plans for three-minute video clips about each participating country and its achievements. According to the Belarusian side, it will show Belarus’ interest in popularizing not only its successes but also the successes of its friends in the CIS.

The city of Minsk which is to host the summit has been also thoroughly gearing up for the event. The themed billboards and over-the-street banners will be placed in the Belarusian capital.

On 24 October Minsk will host a meeting between the Presidents of the member countries of the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space – Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan. Preparation of the agenda of the meeting is underway. It is expected that the participants of the meeting will discuss the draft agreement on the Eurasian Economic Union.

Vladimir Makei also said that there are plans to invite the heads of states that voiced intention to join the Customs Union to take part in the Troika meeting. The issue is under consideration at the moment. The final decision will be made by the President of Belarus after the relevant meeting with his counterparts from Russia and Kazakhstan in Sochi.