Russian FM: Belarus’ admission as SCO full member to become first act at Astana summit
Belarus will become a full member of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation at the organisation’s upcoming summit in Astana – as stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during his today’s meeting with President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko
“Everything has been decided regarding the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation. All agreements have already been fixed. The official admission of Belarus to full-fledged SCO members will become the first act of the Astana summit, enabling Belarus to participate in the rest of the summit on an equal basis with all other members,” Mr. Lavrov underlined.
In addition, the diplomat noted that the two countries’ foreign ministries are trying to carry out as effectively as possible the strategic tasks set by Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin in foreign policy.
“We’re trying to build our activities in such a way as to provide diplomatic support for integration processes. Yesterday we signed special statements in this regard, aimed at strengthening co-ordination, always keeping in mind not only the interests of Belarus and Russia separately, but also the interests of the Union State,” the Russian top diplomat added.
Sergei Lavrov also informed Aleksandr Lukashenko about the details of yesterday’s talks with his counterpart Sergei Aleinik, including the nuances of work within the UN and OSCE.
“You are lucky: you have not been to the Council of Europe, so you did not have to leave it. But the ideas that are now in the air and have already been voiced by both you and Vladimir Putin concentrate around Eurasian security,” the Russian Foreign Minister asserted.
This discussion was developed last autumn in Minsk, when the first conference on Eurasian security was held, hosted by our country as the CSTO chair.
“After that, it was decided that Minsk offers its platform on an annual basis to continue discussions on this topic. We actively support this, and have already received an invitation to the second conference – due to take place in late October or early November. We will be happy to participate. Yesterday we talked about how we can promote this concept of Eurasian security in general and connect like-minded people. I think the prospect is very good,” Mr. Lavrov said.
