DUSHANBE, July 31, 2014, Asia-Plus – A broad range of issues related to further expansion of cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) were discussed at a meeting of the SCO foreign ministers that took place in Dushanbe on July 31.
The meeting participants reportedly exchanged views on the latest developments in the world and the situation in the SCO responsibility area, regional and international issues, as well as expansion of cooperation of the SCO with interested countries and other international organizations and structures.
According to a release on the results of the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting, the ministers consider that the United Nations must continue to play a central role in international relations.
The SCO member nations reportedly confirmed their adherence to further expansion of cooperation with interested countries, regional and international organizations in combating international terrorism, separatism, extremism, drug trafficking, trans-boundary organized crime, cyber threats and other challenges and threats.
The meeting also discussed regional security insures, including the situation in Afghanistan. The meeting participants welcomed efforts of the government and the people of Afghanistan to establish peace and national accord and reconstruct the country’s economy.
The delegation heads also called for settlement of the Syrian crisis only in a political and diplomatic way.
They also underlined the importance of cooperation between the SCO member nations on providing international information security within the framework of the SCO and the United Nations.
The SCO member nations reportedly support development of universal rules, principles and norms of responsible behavior of countries in the information space.
The delegation heads endorsed a draft resolution of the SCO Council of Heads of State on a draft strategy for the SCO development for the period until 2025.
They also approved a draft procedure for granting the status of the SCO member nation and a new edition of a standard memorandum on obligations of applicant countries.
