Kazakhstan, Astana, May 14 / Trend, D. Mukhtarov /
Participation of such a country as Turkey in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a partner will give the organisation more authority, Kazakh foreign minister Yerzhan Kazykhanov believes.
"Turkey is a major Eurasian country. Its economy in recent years has shown significant results and it is included in the G20 group. Turkey's participation as a partner in the SCO and its political influence will no doubt give an even greater authority to this organisation," Kazykhanov said in an interview with Trend. He said at present two more countries, Sri Lanka and Belarus have partner status in SCO.
"These countries have expressed their desire for closer cooperation with SCO members. Partnership status gives them the right to participate in some major events, to voice their proposals and initiatives, as well as take part in formal working groups on various directions of cooperation," Kazykhanov said.
He said Kazakhstan supported Turkey's intention to get partner status in SCO at a meeting of the organisation's member countries' foreign ministers in Beijing last week.
The final decision on this matter will be taken at the SCO member countries' Beijing summit on June 6 -7.