SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan (BelTA) – It is time for Belarus to become a full member of “the Shanghai family”. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he met with Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Zhang Ming in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 15 September, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that Belarus has been cooperating with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for 12 years already. “Our step to join ‘the Shanghai family’ as an observer was neither spontaneous nor accidental. Back then the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was rather young and was trying to become part of the world order. Now the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is looked upon as the future, a very influential pole of our planet. It was not so back in the day. But back then we made up our minds in favor of advancing cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Our political and economic future, possibly the military political future lie there,” he said.

“This is why while working as an observer in the organization, we decided it was time for us to become a full member of our ‘Shanghai family’. I know you backed us and support us on this road. And we are very grateful to you for it,” the head of state said.