Opinions & Interviews

BISHKEK, 16 September (BelTA) – The CIS is not only a place for meeting and the exchange of courtesies, it is also the platform for the all-round development of countries, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei told reporters on 16 September, BelTA has learned.

According to the minister, some people believe that the CIS is an outdated organization which does not benefit its member states. “It is not the case,” Vladimir Makei said. “This organization, and the participants of the today’s session share this point of view, is necessary. It is needed not only for meetings and the exchange of courtesies, it is also needed as a platform for producing adequate responses to the emerging challenges and threats, working out concrete solutions which will promote the economic, humanitarian, political development of the CIS member states.”

Vladimir Makei noted that any organization needs to adapt to the changes that are happening in the world. However, in his words, there were proposals to radically reform the organization by turning it into a certain debating society. “It was absolutely inadmissible for us. We believed that this organization should be preserved as a subject of international law. Moreover, we have achieved a lot in the industry-specialized and interregional cooperation as part of this organization. These things cannot be lost because they bring concrete benefits,” the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed.