DUSHANBE, July 26, 2008, Asia-Plus — On Friday July 25, President Emomali Rahmon received foreign ministers of member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) who were in Dushanbe for a regular meeting of the council of the SCO foreign ministers.
According to presidential press service, the meeting focused on issues related to preparations for the upcoming SCO summit that is scheduled to take place in the Tajik capital in August and the summit’s agenda.
A special attention was paid to the issues of providing regional security and expanding economic cooperation within the SCO area.
Speaking at the meeting, the Tajik president suggested that the SCO regional center for combating drug trafficking should be set up in Dushanbe. Rahmon noted that to strengthen regional security it is necessary to get Afghanistan involved in the cooperation and provide targeted support to it.
Tajik leader also pointed the importance of establishment of the SCO Development Fund and Energy Club alongside the successfully functioning Interbank Association and the Business Council.
During the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on expansion of regional transportation cooperation and rational use of water-and-energy resources in Central Asia, and intensification of cultural cooperation with other international organizations.
