The non-alignment principles of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization should be followed – Mirziyoyev

It is necessary to follow the SCO’s principle of non-alignment.  On 16 September, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said this in his speech at the meeting of leaders of the SCO member states in Samarkand in a narrow composition.

The event was attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kasim-Zhomart Tokayev, President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shakhboz Sharif, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Zhang Minh and Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure Ruslan Mirzayev.

In accordance with the agenda of the meeting, the heads of State discussed the current state and prospects of cooperation within the SCO framework, exchanged views on topical issues of regional and international importance, taking into account the political and economic situation in the region.

The President noted that for a historically short period of time the SCO has become an influential participant of regional and global processes.  The stabilizing role of the organization is increasing as an important factor for security and economic growth.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed the need to preserve the SCO’s non-block status, the spirit of openness and broad cooperation, the need to adhere to the principles of compromise, equality and mutual respect.

With this in mind, and on the basis of the effective experience of multilateral partnership within the SCO, the President of Uzbekistan has put forward concrete proposals and practical initiatives to address priority tasks in the main areas of cooperation in recent years.

In particular, issues of adaptation of SCO activities in today’s realities, cooperation in the spheres of economy, trade and investment, strengthening of interdependence in the transport sphere, environmental issues, and cultural and humanitarian relations were discussed.  Particular attention was paid to the problems of security and the situation in Afghanistan.

In conclusion, the President stressed that the future of the SCO and the development of countries depends on cooperation and effective work.

«Together we are able to raise the organization to new heights in order to ensure regional and global security, development and prosperity of our countries and peoples», - said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In their statements, the leaders of the member States touched upon topical issues of further development of cooperation within the SCO framework and problems of regional and international security. It was noted that the Samarkand summit has a special historical significance.

The meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO continued with the participation of observer countries, dignitaries, heads of international and regional organizations.  For the first time, the summit is being held in such a broad format, with the participation of leaders from 14 countries.