NOVO-OGAREVO, September 17. / TASS /. The convergence of different integration processes in Eurasia complies with the interests of the region’s countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit by video link.
The Russian leader also stressed the importance of the memorandum of understanding signed at the summit between the SCO Secretariat and the Eurasian Economic Commission.
"This is definitely in line with the implementation of Russia’s idea to create a Greater Eurasian Partnership with the participation of countries from the SCO, the Eurasian Economic Union, ASEAN and the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. I am convinced that the convergence of various integration processes in Eurasia and establishing a common space of open, equal and mutually beneficial cooperation meets the interests of all our countries," Putin stated.
The Russian president concluded by thanking his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon for organizing the summit and given that Tashkent is taking the reins of the SCO chairmanship, Putin wished Uzbek leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev success in this endeavor.
The SCO is an international organization that was established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, China. The organization includes India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Four countries, namely Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia, have Observer State status, while six countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka) are Dialogue Partners.