Fri, 10/07/2015 - 19:04
MINSK, 10 July (BelTA) – Observer status will allow Belarus to take part virtually in all projects of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BelTA learned from Vladimir Ulakhovich, Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Vladimir Ulakhovich said: “The world is changing. What is going on in Ufa today — the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the meeting of the BRICS heads of state — is a sign of a brand new order determined by the new world development paradigm and economic problems in countries. As an open economy country Belarus is not involved in these processes so much but is extremely interested in becoming a participant. The SCO is a regional organization, this is why Belarus cannot become its member. But even observer status allows taking part virtually in all the projects of the organization, which include the fundamental long-term project of the Silk Road. More serious cooperation between Belarus and the SCO is a natural continuation of our calm, stable and adequate foreign policy, which has always been focused on finding partners via mutual interest.”
The source noted that Belarus established good relations with the SCO member states a long time ago, particularly with Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and India. “Belarus and these countries worked out the common agenda a long time ago. They are our partners in trade and economic affairs. Belarus has preserved the status of an industrial nucleus in the Eurasian Economic Union space, this is why we can offer our production sector, technologies, knowledge, and specialists to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” noted the Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is primarily an economic association. The SCO is not dominated by politics the way it is done in the European Union. “There are rigid political requirements in the European Union. There are conditions regarding the accession to security institutions. For instance, countries, which are willing to become European Union member states, have to join NATO first. In the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries enjoy a dialogue of equals on the basis of economic interaction. No one's will is enforced upon others,” explained the deputy head of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Vladimir Ulakhovich also pointed out that there are certain differences between SCO member states but the countries are seeking joint ways of development. “India and Pakistan are two nuclear powers. They face differences of opinion from time to time. But the SCO provides a platform for finding compromises and resolving disputes without conflicts,” added the official.
source: http://eng.belta.by/all_news/politics/More-opportunities-for-Belarus-in-SCO-thanks-to-observer-status_i_83116.html
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