Russia to host next meeting of CIS Council of Heads of Government in November

According to Sergei Lebedev, the CIS has proved to be effective. "The CIS is often criticized. Sometimes the criticism is justified. Yet the CIS has proved itself quite an effective organization, a very convenient and productive platform for solving many problems," he said.

The CIS Executive Secretary remarked that this year Belarus is holding the chairmanship in the CIS and is successfully implementing the concept of its chairmanship. For example, an agreement on environmental cooperation in the CIS was drafted on the initiative of Belarus. It was signed today. This is an important document, given that this year has been declared the Year of Environment in the CIS.

In general, Sergei Lebedev expressed his satisfaction with Belarus' chairmanship in the CIS. He also praised the active work of Belarus' representatives in the CIS sectoral councils, nine of which are headed by leaders of Belarusian ministries, BelTA reports.

Among the important activities in the CIS due in Belarus this year, Sergei Lebedev highlighted the joint meeting of the CIS Defense Ministers, the meeting of the CIS Finance Ministers, the CIS Forum of Scientific and Creative Youth and the CIS Summit on 25 October 2013.