ASTANA, 9 June (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko takes part in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, BelTA has learned.
The head of state arrived in the Palace of Independence which has become the venue of the large-scale international forum. After the ceremony of welcome for the heads of the SCO observer states and invited representatives of international organizations and a joint photo session the extended summit will begin.
In his speech the head of state will lay out Belarus' vision for the further development of the organization, including its economic dimension. As an observer in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Belarus takes an active part in a wide range of events in all major dimensions: political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian ones.
Apart from the discussion of issues on the agenda, such high-profile summits give an opportunity to the leaders of countries, heads of international organizations and agencies to meet with each other on the sidelines of the forum and harmonize positions on topical issues. In this format the Belarusian head of state has already had a number of meetings and talks in Astana, including with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
