ASTANA, Jul. 3 (Sputnik) - The issues of expansion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will be discussed during the organization's summit in Kazakhstan, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

"The number of those wishing to join the SCO is quite large, this topic will also be discussed at the summit tomorrow, the expansion process," Peskov told reporters.

Belarus' accession to the SCO is in line with Minsk's interests, Peskov said.

"We welcome Belarus' accession to the SCO, it is our very important ally, and joining the SCO is in the interests of Belarus. And of course, it will be a great acquisition for the SCO," the spokesman said.

The leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will meet in the Kazakh capital of Astana on Wednesday for a two-day summit. The summit will bring together SCO members with observers and dialogue partners. They will discuss economic, political and security cooperation, as well as ways to strengthen the organization.

The heads of state and government from Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Qatar, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan are expected to attend. The UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, will also be present.

Photo from Asia Times