What is the SCO: transcript. SCO countries

Integration (joining, convergence) is one of the typical processes in the modern world. All states have long realized that international isolation does not lead to anything good. That is why countries unite in different organizations on the basis of economic, political, cultural or military-strategic cooperation. This article will discuss what the SCO and the BRICS are. When did these organizations come into being and what countries are included in their composition today?

SCO: transcript and general information

This Eurasian association was formed at the beginning of the XXI century by six states. The issue of reducing the number of military personnel in the areas of common borders is what became the prerequisite for the formation of the SCO.

The name of this organization is simple: the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Why Shanghai? Everything is very simple. The fact is that the backbone of this association was five countries, which in 1997 entered the so-called Shanghai Five, having signed the corresponding agreement.

What is the SCO? What countries are included in it? And what are the objectives of this unification of states? Let's try to figure this out.

Answering the question about what the SCO is, first of all, it should be noted that this is by no means a military bloc. While ensuring the safe and stable development of the participating countries is the main task of this organization. We can say that the SCO is a cross between ASEAN and the NATO bloc. The fight against terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking is also among the interests of this international organization. The members of the SCO and issues of economic, cultural, and scientific cooperation do not bypass either side.

History of the organization

To give a full answer to the question of what the SCO is, it is important to study the history of the establishment of this organization. And it all began with the signing in 1997 of a treaty on mutual military confidence between the five countries. They were China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The organization itself (actually, the SCO) was founded in 2001 by the leaders of the same five states. In addition, they were joined by Uzbekistan.

Although the very first prerequisites for integration in this direction arose in the late 60's. It was then that there was a loud conflict on the Damansky Island between the Soviet and Chinese border guards. After this incident, the USSR and the PRC sat down at the negotiating table to resolve the problem of mutual territorial disputes.

The SCO countries held their first meeting in a new composition in June 2002 in the Northern capital of Russia - the city of St. Petersburg. It was there that the SCO Charter was signed, which officially completed the process of institutional organization of the organization.

The composition of the SCO and its participants

The international organization has a hierarchical structure. It includes several bodies: the Council of Heads of Member States, the Council of Heads of Government, the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of States and so on. Also within the SCO the administrative body - the Secretariat - is constantly functioning. At the moment it is headed by Dmitry Mezentsev - a representative from the Russian Federation.

What are the "SCO countries"? In other words, which states are its members?

For quite some time, the SCO consisted of only six countries, which established this organization at the beginning of the third millennium. However, in 2015 (namely, July 10), the association had two more new members from South Asia.

Thus, as of autumn 2015, all SCO countries are listed below:

• Russia.
• Kazakhstan.
• Uzbekistan.
• Tajikistan.
• Kyrgyzstan.
• China.
• India.
• Pakistan.

These are SCO member countries. In addition, in the structure of this organization there are so-called observer states. These include Belarus, Afghanistan, Iran and Mongolia. Three more countries (Syria, Bangladesh and Egypt) are candidates to observer states of the SCO.

In addition, the SCO is trying to closely cooperate with other international organizations (UN, ASEAN, CIS and others). Their representatives regularly receive official invitations to participate in the SCO summits.

Objectives of the organization and aspects of cooperation

The SCO states cooperate in several spheres. It:

• Military security;
• Economy and trade;
• the science;
• Culture and the humanities.

What are the main tasks of this integration association? It is no secret that the main task of the SCO is to strengthen the policy of good-neighborliness between its members, as well as the joint opposition to manifestations of international terrorism and extremism. In addition, the participating countries are looking for ways for comprehensive economic growth in their region.

The SCO's place in the political arena of the planet

Of course, the key players in the SCO are China, Russia and India. These countries account for about 95% of the total population and the entire GDP of the organization. It should be noted that the overall commodity turnover between the members of the SCO is characterized by positive dynamics (and this is in the conditions of a modern and deep economic crisis).

Many experts note that the organization acts as a bridge that "draws" China into the political field of Central Asia, thereby bringing it closer to Russia. The same can be said of India and Pakistan.

For the powers of Central (Central) Asia, participation in programs within the SCO is also quite profitable. After all, this region is surrounded by two geopolitical giants - the PRC and the Russian Federation. However, in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, all Central Asian countries act as equal members who play an important role in solving all issues.

So far, only Turkmenistan is a permanent member of the SCO from five Central Asian states.

BRICS: shortly about the merger

BRICS is an international association that includes five independent states. They are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (South Africa). All these countries are characterized by rapid rates of economic development.

Initially, this association had the abbreviation BRIC. If you write its founders in English letters and in a certain order (Brazil, Russia, India, China), then the origin of the abbreviated name of the group will become obvious. This abbreviation existed until 2011, when the organization joined South Africa (South Africa). And the name replenished with one more letter and began to have a modern look: BRICS (BRIC + S).

Some experts argue that this interstate association did not accidentally arise on the geopolitical map of the world. Indeed, under certain circumstances, these five countries can become the dominant economic systems on the planet by the middle of the 21st century. Their markets, thanks to huge reserves of natural and human resources, are actively and very rapidly developing.

But whether these states can create a powerful political union is not yet known. If this does happen, then BRICS can become an influential counterweight to the United States in the world political and economic arena.

BRICS summits and prospects for expansion

Three BRICS members are located in Eurasia, one in South America and one in Africa. All these countries are in the top thirty of the world in terms of GDP. It is possible that in time BRICS will expand. So, the most real candidates for joining the association are experts called Iran, Turkey, and Indonesia.

The main tool for establishing a political dialogue between the BRICS countries is its summits. The first full-fledged meeting was held in Yekaterinburg in 2009, the second one a year later in Brasilia. To date, there have already been six BRICS summits, but all decisions made by the members of the group are purely recommendatory.

Finally...

Integration processes in the modern world are irreversible. Different states unite in organizations to cooperate economically and culturally, together to resist external military threats.

This article was about what the SCO is and what the BRICS group is. The first organization united the countries of Asia, and the second - five large states from different continents. But in that, and in the other association, Russia and China are actively participating.