Cherven Regional Executive Committee

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko focused on security issues and the need to strengthen the economic dimension in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as he spoke at the SCO summit in Astana on 9 June, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian head of state remarked that over the short period of time that has passed since Belarus joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as an observer, the country has come to fully realize that the choice was right. “As an observer, Belarus closely follows the processes that are unfolding in the SCO today,” he said.


Solidarity and Unity

According to the president, the SCO is growing into one of the most influential international organizations in a rapid and progressive way. “Against the backdrop of escalating regional conflicts, the process of rapprochement of the countries that account for more than a half of the global population is very important,” the Belarusian leader said.

In this context, Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the recent warning made by Russia President Vladimir Putin regarding a hypothetical clash between the USA and Russia. When answering a journalist's question, the Russian leader said that no one would survive such a conflict. “This is indeed so. The SCO plays a special role today, because if all its member states show their will, no one will be able to destabilize the situation in the world. The SCO has a great potential, and we should bear this in mind. This is the greatest value that we have today. This is the greatest value which has been created today,” the head of state stressed.

“Solidarity and unity are the key factors in the fight against modern challenges and threats, including terrorism, extremism, organized crime,” the Belarusian president stressed.

In his words, the increase in the number of countries supporting the Shanghai spirit of equal mutually beneficial and peaceful co-existence of nations is a testimony to the growing authority of the SCO, including its economic dimension. Two powerful states, India and Pakistan, have become its full-fledged members. This is not only a crucial result of the summit, but also a courageous and responsible step of the organization,” Alexander Lukashenko said. “It is an open secret that there are certain problems in the relations between these great and powerful states. And the fact that you have accepted them in the SCO today means that you are responsible people. It means that you have decided to take part in the resolution of these issues. I am convinced that, as the members of the SCO, India and Pakistan will not just get closer to the resolution of certain minor problems, but will solve them.”

Alexander Lukashenko used the opportunity to congratulate India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the accession to the SCO.