Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 12 January (BelTA) – Belarus is in favor of further development of the integration within the Commonwealth of Independent States and the decisions that will bring concrete benefits, Belarus Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei told reporters ahead of the session of the CIS Plenipotentiaries Council on 12 January, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus has always wanted the CIS to develop and grow stronger. We have always supported the development of the integration processes. The CIS includes about ten states with different interests, foreign policy and foreign economy goals. Still, we manage to join our efforts to address the common problems and challenges we face,” Vladimir Makei said.

The minister expressed the view that the 25 years since the establishment of the CIS show that the organization is relevant not just as a discussion platform but also as a center that develops specific solutions to improve the well-being of peoples and countries.

According to Vladimir Makei, the number one goal for the near future is to make the CIS stronger and improve its image. That is why the CIS Heads of State Council suggested adjusting the CIS to the present-day challenges. “We must do a lot in order to strengthen our organization and its bodies, make good decisions. Our structure and the legal framework need to be optimized,” the minister said. He also added that it is necessary to “get rid of the documents that do not work and keep those that are useful.”

The minister stressed: “Belarus will never initiate any moves to bury the integration processes in the CIS.” “We want the integration processes to develop, strengthen and bring benefits. We need to stop making unsupported allegations and start taking more decisions that would benefit the CIS,” the minister added.