President participated at the Council of the CIS Heads of State in Minsk

In the framework of this working visit to the Republic of Belarus, President Serzh Sargsyan participated today at the session of the Council of the CIS Heads of State conducted initially in the restricted and later in the extended format.

The Presidents of the Commonwealth member states in the framework of the agenda discussed 14 items encompassing different areas and pertinent to the prospects of expanding trade and economic relations, cooperation in the law enforcement area, further development of cultural and humanitarian ties.

Issues under consideration comprised programs related to cooperation in 2014-2016 in fighting terrorism and other violent manifestations of extremism, cooperation in fighting drug trafficking and program of countering drug abuse for years 2014-2018. Participants of the meeting approved all programs mentioned above.

The Presidents discussed and approved also the interstate program of joint events for 2014-2018 of fighting crime and program of cooperation of the CIS member states in fighting human trafficking for the same period of time.

Adopted at the meeting were also the agreement on the establishment of the interstate council for fighting corruption and the concept on the fight against crimes carried out with the use of technological means.

With regard to the cooperation in the humanitarian area, discussed were preparatory issues for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. It was decided to declare year 2014 a Year of Tourism in CIS. In addition, it was decided to implement in 2014 the interstate program The Cultural Capitals of CIS.

It was decided to convene the next meeting of the CIS Heads of State in Kiev. Ukraine assumed Presidency in the CIS.

In the capital of Belarus, President Serzh Sargsyan along with other Presidents of the CIS member states participated also in the founding of the Alley of Honorary Guests in the courtyard of the Independence Palace.