Nepal is working towards acquiring membership of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) , from which the country could
benefit by getting oil and energy support, local newspaper The
Kathmandu Post reported on Monday.
Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Suresh Chandra Chalise
said he had discussed with Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Sun Heping,
recently about Nepal's desire to join the six-member SCO.
Besides India and Pakistan from South Asia, the countries
receiving observer status of the grouping are Mongolia and Iran.
Mongolia, Pakistan and Iran have already applied for full
membership to the organization while India has not.
"Once we become a member of the SCO," said Chalise, "it would
help Nepal where there is oil crisis in Nepal."
Nepal may apply for the membership during the SCO's 6th
conference to be held in Shanghai on June 14-16 this year.
Nepal should acquire its membership and we should be trying to
import oil from these countries," said Chalise. "The prime minister
has already been convinced to acquire the membership. It' s only a
matter of time."
Chalise also believed that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
can also help Nepal in the energy sector to a great extent.
Senior government officials said SCO membership would end "
Nepal's 100 percent dependency on India" for oil.
The SCO, founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, aims to promote
regional security and fight against terrorism. It comprises China,
Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2007)
