Maxim Ryzhenkov
DUSHANBE, 9 October (BelTA) - Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxim Ryzhenkov assessed the prospects of the CIS Plus format as he spoke to the media in Dushanbe on 9 October, BelTA has learned.
“The CIS Plus issue reflects a growing necessity to build more comprehensive and closer relations, primarily on a regional level. Countries that are drawn to our region certainly want to be aware of what is happening in our organization and participate in addressing issues,” said Maxim Ryzhenkov.
According to the minister, it is not about giving other countries an opportunity to “tag along”, but about developing relations in relevant areas.
“There has been a lot of talk about the CIS being created to ensure a smooth exit from the Soviet Union. In reality, we see that as time passes, even the countries that announced the suspension of their work in the CIS are fulfilling a whole range of agreements that grant them special conditions in trade and customs sectors. This is why the situation is not so black and white,” he stressed.
The minister also drew attention to the fact that other organizations, such as the UN and the SCO, take the CIS seriously. “This indicates that we are moving in the right direction. The organization's prestige is growing,” Maxim Ryzhenkov stated confidently.
As BelTA reported earlier, a meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council will take place in Dushanbe on 10 October. The CIS heads of state will consider about twenty items. Ahead of the organization's upcoming 35th anniversary next year, a number of initiatives to strengthen its international positioning are planned for discussion, including the creation of the CIS Plus format and granting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization observer status with the CIS.
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