CIS Economic Council held in Moscow

Belarus advocates for strengthening the international status of the CIS. The Economic Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States was held in Moscow.

About 20 documents were adopted at the meeting, some of which will be submitted for approval to the Heads of Government. This concerns the issues of forming a common labor market and regulating the migration workforce, using national currencies of the CIS countries in mutual settlements.

The meeting participants also discussed cooperation in industrial cooperation and safety measures in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, handling hazardous waste and providing medical care in emergency situations.

Igor Petrishenko, Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus:

"We discussed approaches to preparing a strategic session that will be held in Minsk in June within the framework of the CIS Economic Council, where we will consider all relevant topics of our interaction. This concerns, first of all, our economic interaction, transport corridors, energy cooperation issues, technical regulation, food security in the Commonwealth. We outlined a schedule of our specific actions for next year to further position our cooperation within the CIS."

The CIS has observer status at the UN General Assembly. At the suggestion of the Belarusian side, the section "International Cooperation" was included in the Commonwealth's economic development strategy plan for the 2020-2030s. This will enhance the status of the CIS and strengthen interaction with international economic organizations.