Opinions & Interviews

BISHKEK, 3 November (BelTA) - Belarus is in favor of the integration between the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Belarus’ Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov said at the 15th meeting of the SCO Heads of Government Council in Bishkek on 3 November, BelTA has learned.

“In part of economic interaction, we fully share the idea of the Russian partners to promote closer integration between the EEU and the SCO,” the Prime Minister said. According to him, this approach is supported by Belarus and is in tune with the initiative of “integration of integrations”.

“For our part, we support the intentions and specific plans of the Chinese partners in terms of participation of our countries in the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative, establishing platforms of cooperation in industry, transport and communications, innovations and financial cooperation, information technology,” Andrei Kobyakov added. Belarus has a developed scientific and technological potential to make a worthy contribution to the joint projects in manufacturing, information and communications technology, energy, agriculture and other industries.

The Prime Minister noted that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization celebrates its fifteenth anniversary in difficult conditions. “All our countries have to find effective responses to new challenges and threats, to take into account the growing regional tensions, to adapt to the increased global competition amid difficulties in the global economy,” he said.

In this respect, cooperation within the SCO acquires greater significance both in security and economy. “Today it is very important to coordinate the efforts for further development of the SCO,” Andrei Kobyakov stressed.

In 2016 Belarus took an active part in the events envisaged in the SCO action plan as the SCO observer. “Resting upon the agreements included into the final documents of the SCO summit in Tashkent, Belarus is ready for further strengthening of cooperation with observers and partner states in order to counteract new challenges and threats, develop trade and economic ties and promote cultural exchanges,” the Prime Minister added.

The SCO heads of government have gathered for a meeting in Bishkek. The heads of government are expected to take stock of the progress made in the implementation of the SCO multilateral trade and economic cooperation, adopt the SCO budget 2017. Special emphasis will be on the issues of economic cooperation within the Organization. About 10 documents are planned for signing.