KAZAKHSTAN BACKS BELARUS' ENTRY INTO SCO

By Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad

ASTANA (Kazakhstan), July 4 (Bernama) -- Kazakhstan is steadfast in its support for Belarus inclusion into the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) bloc, viewing it as a significant step towards greater regional cooperation and inclusivity.

Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko highlighted that Belarus joining the SCO signified another crucial milestone in fostering economic and cultural collaboration within the organisation.

"We fully support this development, as it aligns with our broader goal of promoting inclusivity and cooperation without adhering to a bloc mentality of East versus West,” he told reporters covering the SCO Summit in Kazakhstan’s capital Thursday.

One of the historic milestones of the summit will be the decision to finalise the procedure for the admission of Belarus as an SCO member state.

The SCO is composed of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan and Iran, and it will expand to ten members with the inclusion of Belarus.

The SCO represents more than three billion people or about  45 per cent of the world’s population.

Notable leaders in Astana for the summit include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iran's interim President Mohammad Mokhber and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Vassilenko said Kazakhstan values the SCO as a crucial platform for enhancing cooperation in various domains, and it emphasises on economic and cultural integration.

He said Kazakhstan's balanced and pragmatic foreign policy, which engages equally with neighbours like Russia and China as well as Western nations, fostering a multifaceted approach to international relations.

"Our approach is to maintain an open country policy, building strong relations with both our neighbouring countries and the West. This strategy allows us to bring a unique perspective to the SCO and the international community," he said.

Vassilenko emphasised that Kazakhstan's commitment to a diversified foreign policy not only strengthened its diplomatic ties but also contributed to regional and global stability.

“The inclusion of Belarus in the SCO is expected to enhance the organisation's collective efforts in promoting economic growth, security, and cultural exchange among member states,” he said.

-- BERNAMA