Readiness to counter modern challenges and threats meets the common interests of the CIS countries - Makei

The readiness of CIS countries to counter modern challenges and threats serves common interests. This was noted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, today at a meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States, held via video conference. This was reported to BelTA correspondent by the press service of the Belarusian foreign ministry.

The readiness of CIS countries to counter modern challenges and threats serves common interests. This was noted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, today at a meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States, held via video conference. This was reported to BelTA correspondent by the press service of the Belarusian foreign ministry.

The heads of the foreign affairs agencies of the CIS member states reviewed various aspects of interaction within the framework of the Commonwealth, and discussed the current situation in the region. Speaking at the meeting, Vladimir Makei thanked the Uzbek side for their professional and fruitful work as chair of the CIS during the coronavirus pandemic.

The head of the Belarusian foreign ministry stressed the importance of close cooperation within the CIS in the face of attempts by external forces to destabilize the situation in a number of Commonwealth member states, including Belarus. "I believe that the comprehensive strengthening of our countries, and our readiness to counter modern challenges and threats, serves common interests," stated Vladimir Makei. He acquainted the meeting participants with Belarus' key initiatives as chair of the CIS in 2021.

The meeting approved the plan for multilateral inter-ministerial consultations of the Commonwealth for 2021, and a decision was made to grant the status of a basic organisation of the CIS member states to a number of higher education institutions in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.

Furthermore, draft Conceptions for the further development of the Commonwealth and a plan of key measures for its implementation, the Conception of military cooperation of the CIS member states until 2025, and the Programme of cooperation of the Commonwealth countries in strengthening border security on external borders for 2021-2025, as well as other joint documents, were approved and submitted for consideration by the Council of Heads of State of the CIS.

The parties decided to hold the next meeting of the CIS Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on April 2, 2021, in the Russian Federation.