DUSHANBE, September 12, 2014, Asia-Plus — India and Pakistan are seeking a new role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
In statement released at the SCO summit in Dushanbe, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev noted on September 12 that India and Pakistan have lodged official applications to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as full members.
According to him, it is necessary to finalize a mechanism to give a full member status to observer countries.
Kazakh president also welcomed a dialogue between Iran and the Western countries and expressed hope that the G-6 nations will reach an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program until November 2014 that would give Iran an opportunity to join the SCO as a full member as well.
Nazarbayev noted that Kazakhstan focused attention on issues related to expansion of security cooperation between the SCO member nations.
“This issue remains one the most significant ones,” said Kazakh leader. “Signing of an agreement on border cooperation will serve the strengthening of mutual confidence among the SCO member nations.”
He noted that the SCO member nations proposed to expand cooperation in addressing cyber threats.
Nazarbayev also pointed to the necessity of intensifying work of the SCO Business Council and its Interbank Association.
He further noted that an idea of creating mechanisms for cooperation to promote the settlement of territorial and regional conflicts was timely.
Creation of the SCO Water Committee would help solve water problems between the SCO member nations, Kazakh president said.
Nazarbayev also proposed to support an initiative of restoration of partnership between the SCO Secretariat and the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.
On the current situation in Afghanistan, Kazakh president noted that providing stability and establishment of constructive inter-Afghan dialogue remained one of the urgent tasks.
He also expressed concern about the current situation in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, Iraq, and the Palestine-Israel conflict.
