Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 September (BelTA) – The work of the bodies of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has become more efficient over the last year, Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee - CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev told the media before the session of the CIS Plenipotentiaries Council on 19 September, BelTA has learned.

Sergei Lebedev stressed that the CIS is going through a very busy period that sees a number of crucial meetings. “The CIS Economic Council held a session in Moscow a while ago. It reviewed important matters, primarily those in economic cooperation. The most part of these matters will be on the agenda of the CIS Heads of State Council's session due in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 3 November,” Sergei Lebedev said.

In his words, at the current session the CIS plenipotentiaries are discussing interaction and the implementation of the decision of the heads of state on the CIS’ adjustment to the present-day realities. “A lot of work has been done over the past year after the decision had been taken. Many functions of the CIS Heads of State Council and the Heads of Government Council have been delegated to the Economic Council and the Foreign Ministers Council. Moreover, now some information materials will be submitted for signature without discussion at the session of the CIS supreme bodies,” Sergei Lebedev noted.

Sergei Lebedev believes that in general the CIS bodies, primarily sectoral councils, have become more effective over the past year. The optimization of staff and expenses is underway.

Speaking about the optimization of agendas of the CIS bodies, Sergei Lebedev reaffirmed that the number of matters and topics to be discussed is not reducing. The CIS Executive Committee tries to conduct sessions in such a way so that the work of the CIS bodies stays efficient while the financial and economic expenses are cut.