OREANDA-NEWS. April 18, 2013. The President of Belarus, Chairman of the CIS Council of the Heads of State Alexander Lukashenko met with the CIS Executive Committee Chairman - CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev.

The main theme of the meeting was Belarus’ chairmanship in the CIS in 2013. Belarus, both the country’s leaders and all government bodies, public organizations, takes the chairmanship very responsibly according to the CIS Executive Committee Chairman.

The meeting discussed a number of the important forums due in Belarus. In May, Minsk will host the meeting of the CIS heads of government and in October the CIS Summit.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Belarus is seriously preparing for them. "Probably the Executive Committee has some questions. I am open to your suggestions, and ready to discuss the problems if there are any. We will immediately get involved in their solution,” the President assured.

Sergei Lebedev noted that the year will be full of events. He briefed the President on the preparations for the meeting of the CIS heads of government scheduled for 31 May in Minsk.

“We hope to welcome all CIS heads of government at the Minsk meeting to consider important issues and advance our economic cooperation,” Sergei Lebedev said.

The forum will be preceded by a fair which is organized in association with the CIS Executive Committee.

Alexander Lukashenko also asked about the preparations for the CIS Summit. Sergei Lebedev briefed the President on the meetings with the CIS leaders who confirmed their readiness to come to the Belarusian capital. The Executive Committee together with the CIS member states and relevant councils are working on the agenda of the forthcoming high-level meeting.

The sides also discussed cultural events including those scheduled in Mogilev, the CIS Capital of Culture. A number of cultural events will be held under Belarus’ chairmanship in the CIS. For instance, one of them will be an exhibition of USSR People’s Artist Alexander Shilov “They Fought for the Motherland”.

Since the year 2013 has been declared the Year of Ecology in the CIS, Belarus has prepared a draft agreement on cooperation in environment. Sergei Lebedev emphasized the importance of this document which will be submitted for consideration of the CIS heads of government.