Turkmenistan considers relations with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in a strategic way. This was stated by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, speaking online on Tuesday at a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States as a guest of the chairman.

 The President of Turkmenistan emphasized that such an approach is justified historically, by age-old spiritual and cultural ties that strengthen relations between our peoples and states.

 “This creates additional incentives and prospects for a long-term partnership between our country and the Shanghai Organization on regional and international agendas, within the framework of various multilateral structures and supporting international organizations, primarily the UN,” the President continued.

 “Our country clearly sees the prospects and mutual benefits of cooperation, its compliance with the fundamental, true interests of our peoples and states,” the head of Turkmenistan said, having confirmed readiness for further constructive joint work.

 The SCO summit was held in a hybrid format on July 4 in New Delhi, India. The meeting was attended by the heads of Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

 Following the meeting, Iran became an official member of the SCO, becoming the ninth state in the organization. Belarus is also preparing to join the organization.

 The SCO was established in June 2001 in order to strengthen peace, security and stability in the region, as well as to develop economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation between member states.