SCO's influence and prestige will continue to grow, Nazarbayev says

    The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is at the beginning of its next stage of development - "the further growth of its influence and prestige on the international scene," (original – KNL) Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev told the expanded session of the SCO Heads of State Council on Friday.
    He noted, "during this turbulent and important period for the international community the SCO has been experiencing a severe endurance and viability test." The president voiced confidence the summit in Ufa would be a milestone event in dealing with unprecedented challenges and threats of our time, reports TASS.
    Nazarbayev added Kazakhstan fully supported "the decision to launch the process of the acquisition of the status of the SCO member status by India and Pakistan." These countries’ international standing, experience and economic potential are "a big boost for our organization’s prospects for the future," he said.
    According to the president, the signing of the SCO Development Strategy to 2025 on Friday is “clear evidence of the evolution and the qualitative development of our platform." Nazarbayev added the document was designed, "to become the backbone of the Shanghai process within the next 10 years."
    "In light of the events and processes taking place in the world, the SCO must remain a guarantor of stability, security and prosperity in the region. This is, without exaggeration, a historic step, and our duty is to show the world the unity and sustainability of the Shanghai spirit," Nazarbayev said, according to Akipress.