On December 18, Minsk /BelTA correspondent/. CIS experts will consider draft documents on cooperation in education on December 19-20 in Minsk, BelTA was informed by the press service of the CIS Executive Committee. The expert group intends to consider the draft plan of priority measures for cooperation in education for the medium term and the draft agreement on granting equal rights to citizens of the CIS countries for admission to and study at educational institutions of the Commonwealth states. The plan consists of 13 sections, which outline measures aimed at increasing awareness of the CIS, developing network educational structures, lifelong learning, and improving its quality. The plan also provides for the development of coordinated requirements for textbooks and teaching aids, holding various seminars and conferences, organizing scientific and student exchanges and internships, and school and student Olympiads. The draft agreement states that citizens of the CIS participating states will have equal rights to admission to educational institutions of other Commonwealth countries. The basis will be mutually recognized state-issued documents on general secondary or secondary vocational education within the framework of state educational standards, for both state-funded and fee-paying places. At the same time, if necessary, foreigners will be provided with the opportunity to undergo language courses at preparatory departments. Students from CIS countries will be guaranteed academic mobility for continuing their studies, as well as for transferring from one educational institution to another. In addition, during their studies, young people from the Commonwealth states will be guaranteed social protection of rights, protection of life and health, and protection from all forms of discrimination. The host country must facilitate the creation of conditions that allow familiarization with its language, culture, national history, literature, geography, customs, and traditions. "All countries without exception are interested in creating a common educational space, therefore, issues of cooperation in education are reflected in the most important documents for the CIS - the Concept for the Further Development of the CIS and the Strategy for the Economic Development of the CIS for the period up to 2020," the CIS Executive Committee press service noted. -0-

BelTA