TASHKENT, 24 June (BelTA) – Belarus is ready for strengthening relations with China and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tashkent on 24 June, BelTA has learned.
“I would like to thank you for Belarus, the only European state, getting the observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It would be impossible without China's support. We are really grateful to you,” Alexander Lukashenko said addressing Xi Jinping.
The Belarusian head of state emphasized that both China and the SCO can rely on Belarus' support in any issues. “We are ready to become ‘a western gate' for this organization,” the Belarusian leader said.
Alexander Lukashenko cited the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park Great Stone project as an example of how Belarus is consistent in fulfilling its obligations. “You have called the project a pearl of the Great Silk Road. We will do our best and are doing the utmost to fill the project with concrete economic content,” said the President of Belarus.
For his part, Xi Jinping congratulated Alexander Lukashenko on the successful 5th Belarusian People's Congress which discussed the five-year plan of country's social and economic development. “I am sure that under your leadership Belarus will make new progress,” said the Chinese President.
He has noted that the Belarusian-Chinese relations have been rapidly developing, with the two countries supporting each other in all the matters.
Mentioning the ongoing parliamentary election campaign in Belarus, Xi Jinping supported the efforts aimed at creating calm atmosphere for the elections.
Xi Jinping invited Alexander Lukashenko to pay a state visit to China and expressed readiness for further strengthening of all-round cooperation.
