Sergey Lebedev: "The significance of the current Commonwealth's objectives requires a sustainable information partnership"

Chair of the CIS Execom Sergey Lebedev addressed the plenary session of the XI Belorussian international media forum Partnership for Future.

In his speech, Sergey Lebedev noted that in the past years the Commonwealth had become a credible and universal international organization, with a broad mandate to coordinate multi-faceted cooperation across the CIS and facilitate integration at various levels.

He mentioned the Free Trade Agreement, 2020 CIS Strategy on Economic Growth, and 2020 CIS Intergovernmental Program of Innovative Cooperation being the current milestones of the Commonwealth's effort. He also commented on the successful track record in many spheres in the past 25 years.

Humanitarian cooperation in the recent 25 years was also very effective. Projects in such areas as education, culture, youth policy, healthcare, sport and tourism laid a good foundation for future prospects.

Sergey Lebedev emphasized the interest of all CIS countries in strengthening stability and security to combat modern threats and challenges. Dedicated programs that have been effectively developed since 1996 are aimed at countering terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal migration and human trafficking. They are implemented jointly with UN Special Agencies and other international organization.

The Heads of the CIS countries showed their political will for international cooperation. The frank discussion at the October Summit in Kazakhstan proved the need for strengthening the Commonwealth.

Sergey Lebedev also expressed confidence that the upcoming anniversary CIS Summit in Bishkek in September would result in a streamlined program of improving the efficiency of the CIS and strengthening its role in further development of the collective cooperation.