Kyrgyzstan hosts council of heads of government meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Kyrgyzstan on Thursday hosted the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the nation’s capital of Bishkek.

“Against the backdrop of ongoing events in the world, SCO countries need to pay special attention to security issues. I am pleased to note that countries are setting an example of mutual understanding and cohesion, forming a new look for an international organization,” Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said before the meeting, according to a statement by the presidency.

Japarov noted the positive role of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure, which he said “provides the necessary assistance to the cooperation of competent authorities in the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism.”

He said the SCO acts as a reliable platform for fruitful cooperation, and that work has been carried out in the past two years to expand the organization, which has been seen through the accession of Iran and the ongoing admission of Belarus as a full member.

“I am confident that during today’s meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO, a wide range of multifaceted cooperation within the SCO will be discussed and relevant decisions and documents will be adopted that will make a significant contribution to the further strengthening and development of our organization,” he added.

The meeting chaired by Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Zhaparov was attended by the prime ministers of Russia, China, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia and Belarus, as well as representatives from India, Pakistan and Turkmenistan, following which 14 documents were signed, including a joint communique.

The SCO, which was established in 2001, aims to strengthen friendly good-neighbor relations and mutual trust among member states.​​​​​​​