Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko expressed strong confidence that Belarus can soon become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, with broad support from all current SCO member states. He shared this outlook during a video-address at the SCO Heads of State meeting, as reported by Belta. Lukashenko emphasized that Minsk is actively pursuing the steps needed to join the organization and align with its standards and processes.
The Belarusian leader outlined ongoing framework work intended to position Belarus within the SCO’s multi‑lateral structure. He highlighted the country’s commitment to the regional security and economic initiatives that define the SCO’s agenda, stressing that the republic is implementing the necessary reforms and practical measures to meet membership criteria.
Lukashenko also expressed hope that the next SCO Council of Heads of State meeting will be conducted in person. This preference for face-to-face diplomacy underscores the seriousness with which Belarus treats the accession process and its strategic importance for regional coordination.
Throughout the address, Lukashenko continued to emphasize the compatibility and recurring emphasis on aligning formats and cooperation with other major regional blocs, including the Eurasian Economic Union and BRICS. He reiterated Belarus’s intention to maintain a coherent policy stance across these platforms to maximize collective benefits for the region and its people.
On July 4, the Belarusian president spoke at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, reaffirming the country’s long‑term goals within the forum. His remarks reflected a broader strategy of engaging with the SCO’s frameworks to promote stability, economic integration, and enhanced dialogue across Eurasia.
Earlier in the discussions, Lukashenko drew attention to ongoing challenges in relations with Russia, noting how these dynamics influence Belarus’s approach to regional cooperation. The president suggested that constructive cooperation remains a cornerstone of Belarus’s foreign policy, even as it navigates complex bilateral and multilateral relationships that shape its strategic options for the future.