Pakistan values China's support for SCO membership: Foreign Ministry

Source:Xinhua Published: 2014-9-20 10:32:47

Pakistan on Friday said it appreciates China's support for the country's quest to become member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as the group has agreed to expand its membership.

On Thursday Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said his country welcomes and supports India and Pakistan to become new formal members of the SCO at the earliest possible date. The agreement on new members came in a legal document passed at the 14th SCO summit, held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, last Friday.

"The Government of Pakistan welcomes and appreciates China's expression of support for Pakistan's application for full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)," the Foreign Ministry said.

"China's recognition of the 'great influence' of Pakistan in the region is testament to our contribution to the SCO in our capacity as an Observer State since 2005," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

The SCO is a six-member regional organization comprising China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, that focuses on mutual economic and security cooperation.

Pakistan was one of the first countries to apply for full membership of the SCO.

The Pakistani Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Mr. Sartaj Aziz, who headed Pakistan' s delegation to the SCO Summit in Dushanbe had highlighted the constructive role that Pakistan could play in this important regional organization as a full member.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said China believes the move will promote the organization's further development and strengthen its efforts to safeguard regional security and boost common development.

The SCO currently groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, while Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan are observers, and Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka are dialogue partners.

Hong said China is ready to maintain close communication with the other SCO members, India and Pakistan on the issue of further expansion of SCO membership.

India and Pakistan have actively participated in cooperation under the SCO framework and made positive contributions to the organization's development, according to the spokesman.

Posted in: Diplomacy

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