Belarus joins SCO, set to combat sanctions
July 4, Pozirk. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) summit in Kazakhstan’s Astana has approved Belarus’ membership two years after Minsk filed its application, Russia’s TASS reports.
Belarus is ready to “consistently implement anti-sanctions approaches” in cooperation with the SCO, Alaksandar Łukašenka told Kazinform yesterday.
Minsk will focus on international security, economy, food security and SCO’s international policies, Pul Pervogo, the unofficial Telegram channel of the Belarusian ruler’s press office, reports today, quoting him as saying.
“The narcissistic, selfish West has proved incapable” of ensuring global security, he said. “We have the power to break down the walls of the unipolar world, to feed people by eliminating many contradictions and conflicts caused by social inequality, food and resource shortages.”
Established in 2001, the SCO comprises China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Iran joined in 2023. Belarus has been the SCO’s partner since 2010 and an observer since 2015.
Approval of Belarus’ membership shows “a lack of commitment to democratic principles within the SCO,” Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has said on X.
Economic assistance, market access, China ties among benefits Belarus expecting from SCO
Belarus may soon be admitted to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) after waiting for 14 years. Since 2010, Minsk has participated in SCO events as a dialogue partner, and since 2015 as an observer. Founded in 2001, the SCO brings …