Belarus to become a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

The decision to start the procedure for Belarus' admission to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was made at the summit in Samarkand, BelTA reported. The President of the Republic of Belarus was also present at the summit.

Belarus has been a dialogue partner of SCO since 2010, and an observer since 2015. Making a decision at the summit does not mean an automatic change of status. Belarus will have to join 40 international treaties in force in the SCO, as well as make the necessary changes to national legislation.

According to the President of Belarus, taking into account the strategically important geographical location, Belarus is able to organically complement the SCO structure. "We can offer our transit, industrial, scientific potential, experience in peacekeeping and multilateral diplomacy," he added.

In total, following the results of the summit, about four dozen declarations, treaties and agreements were adopted. The SCO currently includes India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

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Photo: cgtn.com