TIANJIN, 1 September (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has identified five priorities for the “SCO family”. The priorities were identified at an SCO Plus session of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BelTA has learned.
The priorities include multilaterality, security, sustainable development as the foundation of stability in the region, food security as well as industrial development and scientific development.
“Peace in the Eurasian space should be reality, not a dream,” the Belarusian leader stressed.
The theme of the SCO Plus session is implementing multilateralism, ensuring regional security, and promoting sustainable development.
The president quoted Confucius, who said: “If you want to change the world, start with yourself.” Continuing the line of thought, the Belarusian head of state drew attention of participants of the summit to a number of fundamental principles and priority areas of joint work in the “SCO family” for the sake of enabling conditions for regional security and sustainable development.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also stated that as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and a reliable partner Belarus is ready to share experience, undertake responsibility, and take an active part in the development of the “Shanghai family”. He noted that Belarus, its nation, and its president had been granted the highest trust of becoming a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Belarus is the only SCO member state that is located completely in Europe.
“I assure you that we will always be dedicated to SCO principles and you will never have any complaints about us. We are convinced that only through respect, equality, and solidarity we will be able to enhance regional security, ensure sustainable development and a decent future for the nations of our countries,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
On multilaterality
“We are convinced that only through genuine multilaterality and equal partnership based on mutual benefits one can build international relations,” the president said.
“Our common goals should be implemented in concrete projects, manufacturing cooperation initiatives and the results that will be tangible exclusively for everyone,” the Belarusian leader said.
On ensuring regional and global security
“Peace in the Eurasian space should be reality, not a dream or a slogan. Any unilateral aggressive actions aimed against sovereign states are unacceptable and dangerous. They destabilize the situation and undermine the foundations of international law. I would like to emphasize that we must not provoke such conflicts under any circumstances,” the Belarusian head of state said.
He spoke in favor of improving the Shanghai Cooperation Organization mechanisms designed to counteract security challenges and threats and also in favor of stepping up coordination among security agencies and defense agencies. Belarus supports the SCO’s initiatives concerning the joint fight against terrorism, cyber threats, and transnational crime.
“It is the countries that are united by the ‘Shanghai spirit’ that are capable of playing an active role in preventing conflicts and promoting a peaceful dialogue,” the head of state is convinced.
On sustainable development as the foundation of stability in the region
Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that Belarus follows the global sustainable development agenda persistently: “We were one of the first countries to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals into the national strategy with a focus on human capital, stable economy, ecological balance, and digital transformation.”
On food security
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that no stability can be achieved by any country without food security.
As for Belarus, domestic production fully satisfies the demand for food. Belarus is also one of the world’s leading exporters of the main groups of food products. Belarusian foods are exported to over 100 countries across the globe.
On joint development by leveraging industrial potential and scientific and technical potential
The head of state noted that Belarus possesses a well-developed industrial base and qualified human resources and called for deeper manufacturing cooperation within the framework of the “Shanghai family”. “We suggest developing joint manufacturing facilities, exchanging modern technologies, expanding cooperation in mechanical engineering, agricultural machines, transportation, healthcare, robot technologies, and artificial intelligence,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
He once again thanked China for massive assistance with the development of these promising areas.
“We are in favor of creating scientific and technological platforms, research centers, and educational exchanges within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” the head of state suggested.
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