Events

14 Dec 2023

Belarus may join SCO in July 2024

An archive photo

MINSK, 14 December (BelTA) - Belarus may become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at the summit in Kazakhstan in July 2024, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Belarus Yerlan Baizhanov said at a press conference in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

Belarus is currently approaching the finishing line in the implementation of domestic procedures for joining the SCO as a full member. In addition to Belarus, the signatory countries of the Belarusian memorandum must also fulfill the domestic procedures.

Five out of eight countries (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) have already ratified the document. The memorandum has not yet been ratified by China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. According to the available information, China and Kyrgyzstan are at the final stage in the matter. In this regard, Yerlan Baizhanov was asked when Kazakhstan is set to ratify the document.

“Kazakhstan has expressed political support for the process of Belarus' accession to the SCO,” the diplomat said. “There will be no problems with Belarus' accession. Kazakhstan is presiding in the SCO, and the next summit will set to take place in Astana,” the diplomat said.

He expressed confidence that Belarus would become a full member of the SCO at the next summit. The event is expected to be held in July 2024.

As BelTA reported earlier, Belarus ratified the memorandum on the country’s commitments to obtain the status of a member state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Law No. 313-Z of 27 November 2023 was officially published on the national legal internet portal, which means it was signed by the head of state. The Council of Ministers has been instructed to take necessary measures to formalize Belarus' participation in the memorandum.

In particular, Belarus undertakes to comply with the goals and principles of the SCO Charter of 7 June 2002, the provisions of the Treaty on Long-Term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation of the SCO member states of 16 August 2007, as well as international treaties and documents adopted within the SCO framework.



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