Over three decades of joint activity, the CIS has proved its viability – Dovgalo

Of course, over three and a half decades of joint activity, the Commonwealth of Independent States has proved its viability. The Commonwealth has real economic, cultural and legal results that have become the basis for co-existence. This was noted by Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee of the House of Representatives on Human Rights, National Relations and Media Irina Dovgalo following the results of the CIS summit, which was held in Turkmenistan.

The parliamentarian appealed to the words of the Head of State: “Let’s take other steps in the field of closer unity, and unity will be ensured primarily by the economy,” and stressed:

- These words of the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko clearly emphasize the urgent need for actions of the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States to ensure not only security, but also economic development.

Irina Dovgalo noted that the most successful and notable joint initiatives, programs and projects in the CIS cover, by and large, key areas.

- First of all, we are talking about the Interstate Program of Innovative Cooperation until 2030. It is aimed at creating common high-tech markets, supporting applied scientific developments. In addition, a competition of youth and scientific developments is held, and here ecology, IT, industrial design, and the agricultural sector - all this stimulates the exchange of ideas among young scientists and students of the Commonwealth countries. It is impossible not to mention the favorite project “Cultural Capital of the CIS”. It is important that the expanses are expanding here, our Belarusian cities will become capitals: Minsk – youth, Molodechno – cultural, and Lida – tourist. There is no doubt that our cities will not leave anyone indifferent.

The parliamentarian also noted that the project activities of the Commonwealth affect many areas: security, a free trade zone, culture, sports, legal space, and others.

- However, the successes of any commonwealth or alliance hardly please our, to put it mildly, opponents, who are clearly inconceivably happy when Moldova announced its intentions to leave the CIS, and Georgia has already left. And here is the most important point, because the CIS is not friendship and cooperation against someone, it is a real opportunity to preserve peace and develop. Today there are open attempts to split the Commonwealth from the outside. External pressure is aimed not just at destroying ties, but at artificially pitting our peoples against each other. That is why it is now so important and vital to realize the common threat and show political resilience, first of all, to the leaders of the Commonwealth countries, because the lives of people and the development of countries depend on their political will.

Irina Dovgalo drew attention to the fact that the President of Belarus, as an experienced politician and a person rooting for the preservation of peace and unity, openly, and not veiled, emphasizes that in conditions of global instability, it is more important for us to be together than ever.

- Unity is not just a declaration, but a way to preserve the sovereignty and security of each country. This suggests that we must preserve the integrity of the Commonwealth despite external pressure. The transition from words to deeds is the most important message of our President, and strengthening the Commonwealth requires real steps. Specific economic, defense and humanitarian projects are needed, and for them it is important to strengthen and modernize the CIS mechanisms in practice, the parliamentarian said.