16 September 2025, 15:29

Petrishenko: CIS summit in Minsk will focus on economic partnership

MINSK, 16 September (BelTA) - The upcoming meeting of the CIS Heads of Government Council in Minsk on 29 September will focus on trade and economic partnerships among the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member countries, CIS First Deputy Secretary General Igor Petrishenko told the media, BelTA learned.

Minsk played host to another meeting of the Council of Permanent Plenipotentiary Representatives. Key issues were the preparation for the upcoming meetings, including the CIS Heads of Government council in Minsk on 29 September, the CIS Ministers of Foreign Affairs Council and the Heads of State Council in Dushanbe on 9-10 October. “These meetings during, which we review the degree of preparedness on various issues, are a crucial test for all structures working on document preparation. We also summarize the results of the current integration year," Igor Petrishenko noted. "The meeting of the Heads of Government Council of will traditionally be held in narrow and broad formats. In the narrow format, the heads of government will discuss and exchange views on the full spectrum of relations between our states. The primary focus will be on trade, economic, and investment components."

According to him, the PMs also plan to discuss in detail the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the Commonwealth of Independent States for 2026–2035. “This is a crucial document that will provide a certain impetus for the further development of not only fundamental research in various fields. Most importantly, it emphasizes practical orientation and prioritizes the innovations that should contribute to economic growth in our countries," Igor Petrishenko added.

The delegations are set to adopt a number of draft documents that regulate cooperation in forestry, the timber industry, digitalization of multimodal transport corridors, and the development of the information society and digital economy.

“A key item on the agenda is the plan for the second stage of the CIS economic development strategy 2030, which the heads of government are expected to approve. Preparations are actively ongoing.We launched the first stage during the pandemic [COVID-19], and it required flexible adjustments and restructuring of our interaction. Yet, through joint and coordinated work, we overcame the challenges that arose,” Igor Petrishenko said. “The development plan for the second stage of the strategy is essentially a program document that will allow us to develop areas of our interaction in manufacturing, agriculture, science, technology, innovation, and payments. That is, the entire spectrum that functions within the CIS.”

Igor Petrishenko added that, according to the CIS Interstate Statistical Committee, combined GDP growth of the countries reached 4.5% in comparable prices in 2024. “Inflation in the CIS was about 8.5%. The unemployment rate was recorded at 3.4%,the lowest in recent years. These accomplishments allow us to see a promising future and advance within the integration framework, adapting and achieving excellent results,” he emphasized.

The agenda of the CIS Heads of Government Council now includes draft concepts for pricing in construction. “This is a document that concerns many people. Everyone dreams of obtaining improved, quality housing. Best practices, exchange of expertise, pricing are the most important components of our cooperation, which will allow us to strengthen and improve the welfare of citizens living in the CIS space,” Igor Petrishenko noted.

A total of 14 items have been included in the agenda of the meeting of the CIS Heads of Government Council. “We will prepare them, thoroughly finalize them, and propose them to the heads of government for appropriate adoption and subsequent implementation,” Igor Petrishenko said.