Beijing, July 10 -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on July 10 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Laos, officially granting the Southeast Asian nation dialogue partner status. The agreement was signed in Beijing by SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavan Phomvihane. It provides a framework for cooperation in areas including security and stability, the economy, law, infrastructure, culture, innovation, and other mutually agreed fields. Under SCO regulations, dialogue partners may participate in thematic meetings, ministerial conferences, and expert forums organised by the organisation in areas covered by the MoU. Speaking after the signing ce...