DUSHANBE, 22.04.2022 (NIAT Khovar) – On April 20, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Farhod Salim took part in the foreign policy consultations of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on the subject of regional security.

The consultations focused on the exchange of views on the joint comprehensive work of the SCO member states to counter the forces of the ‘three evils’,’ that is, terrorism, extremism, and separatism, as well as on the problem of illicit drug trafficking.

Salim noted the relevance and necessity of arriving at a decision to establish the SCO Anti-Drug Center as a separate permanent body in Dushanbe.

The participants paid special attention to the situation in Afghanistan. They stressed the agreed upon position on the need to form an inclusive government in Afghanistan with the participation of representatives of all ethnic and political groups.

In this context, Salim recalled the initiative of President Emomali Rahmon to create a «security belt» around Afghanistan.

Upon the completion of the consultations, a meeting was held between the SCO Deputy Foreign Ministers and the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov.