In the face of constant pressure from the United States and its allies, who continue to impose their values on the whole world and cling to the unipolar world order, for states that adhere to their own path of development focused on creating a just and multipolar world, the most important condition for achieving the goal is the rapprochement of these countries. Such a thesis took an important place in the congratulation of the President of Belarus, sent on July 5 to his colleague, Nicolas Maduro, in connection with the national holiday of Venezuela – Independence Day. "I am convinced that effective opposition to this pressure is possible only thanks to even greater unity of states that share common views similar to ours on the new global order," the congratulation reads.
It should be noted that this is a well-known position of the Republic of Belarus. Firmly upholding the principles of building a just world for all states without exception, Minsk uses every opportunity and various international platforms for its continuous work to find compromise solutions and solutions. An important area of this activity is the unification of like-minded people and allies. The comprehensive strengthening of ties with Venezuela is a good example. As another example, we can consider the desire of Belarus to become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as soon as possible.
Recall that on July 4, the 23rd SCO summit was held in a video format under the chairmanship of India. The event was also attended by the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. Addressing the participants of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization, the Belarusian leader expressed confidence in the imminent accession of Belarus to the ranks of the SCO states. "I am sure that with the support of all member countries, Belarus will also join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a full member in the near future. We have carried out the relevant work and are grateful to those who support us in this," Alexander Lukashenko said. Naturally, in turn, Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his speech at the summit, said that the Russian Federation stands for the speedy completion of the process of Belarus' accession to the SCO.
In the development of the topic, it must be admitted that the Republic of Belarus is quite an "experienced" participant in many different international organizations. At the same time, it is well known that its most active activities are always aimed at increasing the role and effectiveness of these organizations – both for the benefit of the participants and in order to ensure regional and international security. This approach is also present in relation to the SCO.
Having been in the status of an observer state at the SCO for some time, Belarus has thoroughly studied the activities of the Organization and sees very clearly all the problems facing it now. Speaking at the last summit, the Belarusian president pointed out the main one. "Admittedly, the previous security system was not perfect, but, nevertheless, it assumed mechanisms of checks and balances, mandatory compliance with the norms of international law. Today we see a complete scrapping of all rules and concepts. Therefore, it is not surprising that the SCO is forced to focus even more not on economic issues, but on the problems of security and stability in the region," Alexander Lukashenko said.
In addition, Belarus, without waiting for the completion of the procedure for obtaining the status of a full member of the SCO, has already begun constructive work, making a number of relevant proposals.
First. Considering that destructive cyberattacks, theft of digital data and purposeful dissemination of fakes in the information space are currently the most pressing challenges and threats to the organization's participants, Belarus is ready to cooperate in this area, including training of specialists, implementation of joint projects on cyber studies, mutual exchange of technical solutions.
Second. In order to increase the effectiveness of countering the West, which is trying to restrain the development of countries it does not like by imposing illegal sanctions, Belarus actively promotes the idea of global development, consistently advocates both the creation of a large Eurasian partnership with countries with which close relations have already developed (China, India, Pakistan, Iran, partners from the CIS) and the pairing of formats The Eurasian Economic Union, SCO and BRICS in a broad context.
The third. As one of the possible pilot projects to intensify the exchange of experience and accumulated knowledge on the SCO platform, it is proposed to prepare a program for combining information resources of technology transfer centers. Thus, it will be possible to stimulate the processes of promotion and commercialization of the Fourth. In the context of the aggravation of global food security problems, the SCO states can count on the opportunities of Belarus as one of the largest exporters of mineral fertilizers, agricultural products, food and machinery. For the financial support of trade contracts and the implementation of various projects, Belarus fully supports the idea of working out the initiative to create the SCO Development Bank.
Fifth. Minsk remains interested in the transformation of the SCO's common transport and logistics space, including through the activation of international transportation, acceleration and digitalization of control procedures, arrangement and operation of the North-South transport corridor.
Sixth. For a closer acquaintance with the diversity of cultures of the Organization, it is proposed to consider the possibility of implementing a large–scale joint project - the "SCO Festival of Cultures", making it traditional.
Seventh. Improve the efficiency of working with the younger generation. Much of what is being discussed now will be implemented by today's students. The creation of the SCO platform for Youth should be considered.
It is obvious that the submitted proposals have not been ignored by the representatives of the SCO participants and will be further developed.
Knowing the Republic of Belarus as a responsible subject of regional and international politics, as well as a reliable partner in the field of economics and finance, the leaders of the SCO member states signed a memorandum on Belarus' obligations to join the organization at the summit. Thus, the organization's countries have launched the procedure for Belarus' accession to the SCO.
Vladimir Vuyachich
