MINSK, 12 December (BelTA) – There is the potential for strengthening cooperation between the CIS member states despite some bottlenecks, Russia's Permanent Plenipotentiary in statutory and other bodies of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Andrei Shvedov noted at the last session of the CIS Plenipotentiaries Council in 2017 on 12 December, BelTA informs.
“Are there any problems, bottlenecks remaining in place in our cooperation? Definitely, there are. Is there the potential for strengthening and improving it? The answer is yes. Our today's meeting will be largely dedicated to this subject,” Andrei Shvedov said.
Russia's 2017 CIS presidency is nearing its end. The organization has reached the main goals reflected in the concept of Russia's presidency, Andrei Shvedov noted. “We have achieved tangible results in performing the high-priority tasks set forth by heads of our states: to increase the effectiveness, quality, and relevance of our cooperation, update it in accordance with today's challenges, modernize the forms and methods of work, and get rid of bureaucratic hurdles,” he stressed.
The countries have also managed to readjust the practical work of the CIS bodies, reassign their mandates, and reduce the list of responsibilities of heads of government, who now consider really important and strategic issues during summits and sessions. “Russia has adopted a consistent and proactive policy to strengthen the annual CIS presidency, the role of the Plenipotentiaries Council, and step up cooperation between all the CIS structures. There has been some progress in this regard,” Andrei Shvedov underlined.
In general, he added, everything positive that was achieved during Russia's presidency is a result of the continuous work and joint effort of the CIS member states and the CIS executive structures. “We attached special importance to the practical assistance from the Republic of Belarus, one of the key drivers of our cooperation in the CIS,” Andrei Shvedov summarized.
BelTA reported earlier that Tajikistan will take over the CIS presidency in 2018. Turkmenistan will be the CIS co-chair.
