All news

Putin to attend Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, CIS summits in Belarus

A possible increase in the number of integration associations will be on the agenda

MOSCOW, October 23 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council at the level of heads of states and the summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in the Belarusian capital Minsk on October 24-25.

The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council is the key body of the Customs Union (CU) and the Common Economic Space (EEP) of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that the main topic of the meeting between the leaders of the three countries, scheduled for October 24, would be the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAES) by January 1, 2015. "The heads of states plan to review the work done on the EAES treaty," Ushakov said.

The Kremlin is hoping that that summit "will be productive and give an additional impulse to ongoing integration processes."

A possible increase in the number of integration associations will be on the agenda. "This issue is very important," Ushakov underlined noting that Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan would participate in its discussion at the summit.

Taking part in discussion will be the leaders of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Ukraine. After the summit, a meeting between the Russian, Belarusian and Kazakh presidents and head of the Eurasian Economic Commission Viktor Khristenko with journalists is planned. A dinner for the summit participants on behalf of the Belarusian leader will close the forum program.

The Minsk summit of the Eurasian Economic Council will be the second within the "troika" format this year. The first took place in Astana on May 29. "If an accord is reached, the third will take place in Russia," Ushakov said.

At the CIS summit, the participants plan to discuss interaction in the economic, humanitarian and law-enforcement areas.

The leaders are to pass a decision announcing 2014 a year of tourism in the CIS, and 2015 a year of World War II veterans, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory. Also, the CIS leaders will consider a uniform jubilee medal on the occasion of this memorable date.

"The CIS has had the practice of announcing theme years since 2008. Last year was dedicated to sports and healthy lifestyle, and this year to environmental protection," the aide said.

He noted that the summit participants planned to announce the cities of Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan) and Osh (Kyrgyzstan) the CIS cultural capitals in 2014. Earlier, this title was awarded to Ulyanovsk and Gomel (2011), Astana and Maram (2012) and Gabel, Gyumri and Mogilyov (2013).

As for interaction between law-enforcement bodies, Russia prepared an agreement on establishing an inter-state council for combating corruption, which would have coordinating functions. The participants are expected to approve several programs of cooperation in fighting crime, terrorism, and weapon and human trafficking.