Opinions & Interviews

DUSHANBE, 12 October (BelTA) – The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has become more influential, Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Rumas said at the Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on 12 October, BelTA has learned.

“The organization has already reached its initial goals and improved its international standing. It has achieved meaningful results in such areas as economy, regional security and culture. Today numerous thematic events aimed at expanding international contacts are held under the aegis of the SCO,” Sergei Rumas said.

The premier has no doubts that the global initiatives spearheaded by the SCO member states will provide an efficient framework for mutually beneficial cooperation and alignment of economic capacities of the member states. These ideas have already translated into specific projects, including the Belt and Road project. “Belarus is proud that the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park Great Stone is becoming a gem on the crown of the Belt and Road project,” Sergei Rumas said.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was set up in 2001. Its member states include India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Belarus’ status at the organization was upgraded from a dialogue partner to an observer in 2015.