MINSK, 28 April (BelTA) – A quarter century of the SCO existence is convincing proof of the validity of the principles of equality, mutual respect, and consideration of each other’s interests, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said at the meeting of defense ministers of the SCO member states, the Belarusian Defense Ministry told BelTA.
At the beginning of his remarks, Viktor Khrenin thanked the Kyrgyz side, which chairs the Shanghai Cooperation Organization this year, for the warm welcome and for creating conditions for open and honest dialogue at the meeting of defense ministers. “This year is an anniversary year for our organization. Twenty-five years ago, the foundation was laid for a unique platform based on the principles of the Shanghai Spirit: mutual trust, equality, respect for cultural diversity, and the pursuit of joint development. Over the years, the SCO has not only expanded with new member states, observers, and partners. It has significantly broadened its scope and become one of the key centers of power in the emerging multipolar world, uniting nearly half of the world’s population and about a quarter of global GDP,” Viktor Khrenin said.
“Unfortunately, today’s meeting is overshadowed by the conflict in the Middle East, which resulted from the attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has been our common friend and reliable partner. We sincerely hope for a full political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict, which would eliminate a hotspot of tension in Eurasia. It is clear that international security issues in all their diversity remain at the core of our organization’s work. The SCO’s mission also remains unchanged: strengthening peace and stability through cooperation and development, and responding swiftly and effectively to the challenges of the 21st century.”
Military cooperation is an important mechanism for fulfilling this mission, the minister noted. “It contributes not only to the exchange of experience and the strengthening of professional ties, but also to forming a shared understanding of modern security challenges. This is especially important in combating terrorism, extremism, separatism, and hybrid threats, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and unpredictable.”
According to Viktor Khrenin, effective counteraction to destabilizing factors requires not only responding to their manifestations but also anticipating them at both national and international levels. “In this regard, I would like to emphasize the following. First, we support the initiatives put forward at the 2025 summit in Tianjin to create fundamentally new mechanisms that form a full-scale, multi-level security system based on dialogue, mutual respect, and consideration of all participants’ interests. We are ready to actively engage in possible action programs in this direction, including work within a universal center for countering security challenges and threats. Second, we consider it necessary to deepen cooperation among the armed forces within the SCO, which will promote the development of operational information exchange and unified response standards. In the current environment, coordinated actions are critically important. Moreover, the readiness of countries for collective action, including the use of armed forces, serves as a strong deterrent to destructive actors. In this regard, we believe it is advisable to continue the practice of SCO joint exercises as an important element of military training. The ability to act together may prove decisive in the event of crises within the SCO space that require the use of military potential. Third, when speaking about strengthening the organization’s defense dimension, we do not mean creating a military bloc, militarization, or activities directed against other states. We view the expansion of military cooperation solely as a tool for building trust and maintaining peace and stability in Eurasia,” the minister summarized.
He stressed once again that a quarter century of the SCO existence is convincing proof of the vitality of the principles of equality, mutual respect, and consideration of each other’s interests. “Today, more than ever, it is important to preserve unity and cohesion in the face of common challenges and threats. I am confident that through joint efforts, relying on the Shanghai Spirit and firm principles, we can turn the SCO space into a region of exemplary stability, development, and prosperity,” Viktor Khrenin concluded.
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