DUSHANBE, 11.09.2020. (NIAT Khovar) – Yesterday in Moscow, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Muhriddin attended a regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (CFM SCO).

The ministries discussed issues relating to the current state and prospects of further multifaceted cooperation within the SCO in the context of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

They also had an exchange of views on topical issues relating to the international and regional agenda, as well as on emerging security challenges and threats in the SCO space.

In his speech, Muhriddin noted that the coronavirus pandemic posed serious challenges to the world community, the solution of which requires coordinated efforts and the mobilization of available resources.

In this context, Tajik FM came up with an initiative to develop and adopt at the upcoming meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) a Plan of Priority Practical Measures for 2021-2022 to overcome the socio-economic, financial and food consequences of the pandemic in the region.

Muhriddin stressed that issues relating to countering terrorism, extremism, separatism, drug trafficking and transnational crime remain a priority on the SCO agenda. It was noted that the search for optimal solutions to counter these threats rightly requires concerted and collective effort from the SCO member states.

He also informed about the high-level international conferences held by the government of Tajikistan on the fight against terrorism, extremism, organized crime and the sources of their financing.

“The is a need to take effective steps to support the countries that are at the forefront of combating drug trafficking,” emphasized Muhriddin.

In this regard, the importance of the initiative promoted by Tajikistan to create the SCO Anti-Drug Center in Dushanbe as a separate permanent body of the organization was also emphasized.

Muhriddin called for more active work to expand the range of trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties within the SCO, stressing that it is necessary to use the transit possibilities of the member states by creating new transport corridors.

Tajik FM noted that Tajikistan is comprehensively preparing for the country’s chairmanship in the SCO and intends to put forward a number of initiatives aimed at consistently strengthening interaction within the organization.

Muhriddin also noted that Tajikistan is committed to the goals and objectives of the SCO, intends to continue to take the necessary measures and provide comprehensive assistance in the implementation of decisions adopted by the statutory bodies of the organization and the agreements reached at different levels, consistently following the Shanghai spirit.

Following the meeting, an information message and a number of decisions on the preparation of the substantive part of the upcoming SCO summit were adopted.

The next meeting of the SCO Ministerial Council will be held in 2021 in Tajikistan.