SAMARKAND, 16 September (BelTA) – Belarus' bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has received unanimous support in terms of obtaining the status of a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he addressed a meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council in Samarkand on 16 September, BelTA has learned.
In 2010, Belarus obtained the status of a dialogue partner of the SCO and in 2015 –the status of an observer in the organization. "We had enough time to compare the goals and objectives of the organization with the interests of our state, to assess the intensive and constructive work of the organization and to make sure of our own strength and capabilities," the head of state said.
"We are very grateful for the unanimous support of our bid to join the organization as a full member," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
According to the head of state, taking into account the strategically important geographical position, Belarus is able to organically complement the structure of the organization. "We can offer our transit, industrial and scientific potential, and experience in peacekeeping and multilateral diplomacy," he added.
