Excerpts from the transcript:
Alexei Overchuk: A meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government has concluded.
The Commonwealth of Independent States is a unique integration platform that covers all spheres of life in the post-Soviet space, such as the economy, humanitarian ties, and transport and logistics ties.
As per the CIS’s tradition, today's meeting of the Heads of Government addressed a wide range of issues on the extensive agenda. Naturally, current global processes are prompting all parties to reassess the situation and make full use of the legacy of cooperation and close ties built up over centuries and decades between our countries.
Today’s meeting reaffirmed our countries’ intention to strengthen integration. A number of significant documents were signed, including an agreement on the development of cooperative links in heavy engineering. A concept for advancing cooperation in the light industry sector was also endorsed. Of course, transport and logistics development was discussed. In particular, the heads of government were presented a concept to improve cooperation in air navigation within the shared airspace of the CIS countries. The proposal aims to foster closer ties between air navigation authorities and to improve operational efficiency and transparency in this area.
In addition to this, decisions were made on healthcare, aimed to improve the quality of medial services for people living in the CIS countries, in particular, on the development of telemedicine, joint scientific research in medicine and public health, and the exchange of best practices.
CIS states show much interest in Russia’s healthcare system that has demonstrated, in recent time, good dynamism and better quality of service. Our partners notice this and, of course, want to establish closer cooperation with Russia in these matters.
Tourism is advancing in the CIS space. Increasingly more people in our countries are eager to familiarise themselves with culture, customs, and landmarks of our countries. It goes without saying that we pay much attention to promoting tourism. This issue was also considered by the heads of government today.
So, we had an extensive agenda.
Question: What specific heavy engineering projects did you discuss?
Alexei Overchuk: No specific projects were discussed here. But an agreement we signed today defines the framework that will considerably improve the opportunities for developing cooperation ties in heavy engineering and the iron-and-steel industry. I mean creating the chains and added value. This is very important for strengthening Northern Eurasia, our macro-region.
Question: What is the state of cooperation projects within the CIS?
Alexei Overchuk: These issues are primarily addressed by our related agencies. Tajikistan’s Ministry of Industry and the Economy delivered a report on this subject today. Businesses decide what is profitable for them on their own and create the chains accordingly. Our task is to create conditions for that. Therefore, specific projects will crop up in growing numbers, if there are conditions for this. This is what we are doing now.
Question: What should be the main condition today?
Alexei Overchuk: The main thing today is to create maximally favourable conditions for developing businesses and strengthening ties between our countries. The agreements of this sort serve precisely this purpose.
