DUSHANBE, 06.05.2023 (NIAT Khovar) – Yesterday, while delivering speech at the SCO Ministerial Council Meeting in India, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Muhriddin noted the relative progress in agreeing on the proposal of the Tajik side to establish a separate permanent body of the SCO — the Anti-Drug Center in Dushanbe, as well as stressed the importance of developing an initiative to create a «security belt» around Afghanistan.

From May 4 through May 5 in the city of Panaji (India), a delegation of Tajikistan led by Muhriddin took part in the SCO Ministerial Council Meeting.

The ministers held a thorough exchange of views on topical regional and international issues. Particular attention was paid to preparations for the SCO summit, which will be held on July 4-5, 2023 in New Delhi.

“The SCO must continue to effectively fulfill its main mission — the development of cooperation based on the equality of all member states, mutual respect, mutual benefit and strict adherence to consensus,” Muhriddin noted in his speech.

He called for increasing practical cooperation within the framework of the SCO in the economic sphere. In this regard, the need was noted for the speedy completion of the negotiation process to implement the initiative of the President of Tajikistan to develop the SCO Economic Development Strategy until 2030.

The Minister expressed hope that the upcoming full membership of Iran in the SCO will open up new opportunities for increasing the potential of the Organization.

During the meeting, by the decision of the SCO Ministerial Council, a citizen of Tajikistan, the Olympic champion of the 2016 Olympic Games and Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee Dilshod Nazarov was awarded the title of the SCO Goodwill Ambassador.

Following the meeting, 14 decisions were made and memorandums were signed on granting Maldives, Myanmar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait the status of SCO Dialogue Partner.