Belarusian diplomats boost dialogue with Asia amid SCO admission process

February 28, BPN. Against the backdrop of Belarus’ ongoing admission to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Belarusian diplomats have intensified dialogue with countries in Asia.

According to the foreign ministry’s press office, on February 27 Ambassador to Pakistan Andrej Miacielica met with Pakistan’s Acting Deputy Foreign Minister Marghoob Saleem Butt, who oversees SCO matters.

The diplomats discussed “the state of Belarusian-Pakistani relations,” as well as “the prospects for interaction” between the two countries within the SCO. “They confirmed the mutual interest in further strengthening the dialogue on the margins of this year’s SCO events,” the Belarusian foreign ministry said.

On the same day, Leanid Marynič, ambassador to Uzbekistan, held talks with Uzbek Deputy Foreign Minister Bakhromjon Aloyev. The diplomats exchanged views on “current issues” on the bilateral and international agenda, discussed the timeline and program of upcoming events and meetings, and focused on cooperation within the Commonwealth of Independent States and the SCO.

Belarus has been the SCO’s partner since 2010 and an observer since 2015.

In July 2022, Minsk applied for SCO membership. In September, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev told the organization’s summit that a process began to admit Belarus as a full member began.