DUSHANBE, 09.06.2017. /NIAT «Khovar»/. The Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon attended a meeting of the SCO Heads of States Council in Astana today.

The summit began its work in the Independence Palace. After the joint photo session, the leaders of Tajikistan, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan met in a restricted format.

The summit agenda included finding jointly ways to combat international terrorism, measures to strengthen cooperation among Member States relating to the struggle against threats and challenges, adopting historical decision to grant Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Republic of India the status of full members in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, as well as other relevant regional and global issues.

The expanded meeting was joined by the heads of delegations of the SCO observers, in particular the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of India, the Republic of Belarus, Mongolia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The UN, SCO Secretary Generals, the CSTO Deputy Secretary General, CIS Chairman of the Executive Committee and Executive Secretary, as well as high-level representatives of other international and regional organisations also attended the meeting.

In his address at the Summit, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon extended his sincere gratitude to Nursultan Nazarbayev, and to Kazakh side for organising this Summit and for the warm welcome and generous hospitality.

President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon also congratulated Pakistan and India for becoming a full-fledged member of the SCO and expressed confidence that these countries as equal members would make a worthy contribution to enhancing the Organization’s credibility in the world arena.

President of our country Emomali Rahmon stressed that over the past year of cooperation with a joint effort a number of measures have been implemented to strengthen regional stability and security, expand cooperation in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres.

In connection with Afghanistan and Middle East political situation, the influence of terrorist groups and increasing global threats, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon drew the attention of the heads of SCO member states to the issues of increasing the effectiveness of development of the SCO’s Regional Antiterrorist Structure.

To prevent and strengthen the joint struggle against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs, Emomali Rahmon suggested that the initiative of Tajikistan on establishing of the SCO Anti-Narcotic Center should be supported.

In order to expand economic cooperation and implementation of investment projects of regional importance, the Head of State Emomali Rahmon proposed to establish the SCO Development Fund or the SCO Development Bank.

President of our country Emomali Rahmon emphasized boosting cooperation of member states in the fields of energy and development of renewable energy – the green energy and environmental protection, healthcare, science, culture, innovation and technology, sport and tourism.

Concluding their addresses, the heads of state signed documents following the session, including the Astana Declaration, approving of the membership of India and Pakistan in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and the Convention on Counteracting Extremism, the Statement of the SCO Heads of State on the Joint Counteraction to Terrorism and Extremism.

SCO Astana summit completed its work. China took over the rotating presidency of the SCO for the forthcoming period.

SCO Secretary General Rashid Olimov gave a press conference following the results of the Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.