Pakistan says it values China's support for SCO membership

Pakistan 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, Xinhua reported.

The agreement on new members came in a legal document passed at the 14th SCO summit held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan Sep 12.

"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 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," the statement said.

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

--INdo-Asian News Service

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