MINSK, 17 February (BelTA) – The 23rd session of the joint commission of the states parties to the CIS agreement on cooperation in fighting illegal migration took place as a videoconference on 17 February, the press service of the CIS Executive Committee told BelTA.
Deputy Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee Beketzhan Zhumakhanov addressed participants of the session with an opening speech. In particular he said that the reinforcement of stability and security has always been and still is a priority in the work of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The strategic documents recently adopted by supreme CIS bodies testify to it. Among other things the documents outline coordinated migration policy tasks and tasks relating to the fight against illegal migration.
The official also mentioned that the joint commission actively contributes to the accomplishment of these tasks. The commission has earned a reputation as a well-established collegial body and makes a tangible contribution to the unity and coordination of actions of the CIS states in this sphere. Beketzhan Zhumakhanov said he was confident that constructivism and high mutual trust will allow members of the joint commission to thoroughly and sincerely discuss the most acute problems and find coordinated ways to resolve them.
In the course of discussing items on the agenda participants of the session shared the experience of their countries in counteracting crimes connected to illegal migration in conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. They discussed problems arising in the course of the practical implementation of the existing readmission agreements the CIS member states had signed.
Information was exchanged about CIS states' measures designed to improve the technical protection and other kinds of protection of passports, visas, and other documents people use to enter the CIS states, stay in the CIS states, and leave them. Matters concerning the acquisition and forfeiture of citizenship in the CIS states were discussed.
The next session of the joint commission of the states parties to the CIS agreement on cooperation in fighting illegal migration will be held in Minsk in H2 2021.
