Mishustin: Common priority task is to ensure SCO countries' resilience to global challenges

Bishkek, Oct. 26, 2023 . / Kabar / . The overall priority task of the SCO is to ensure the resilience of the Organization's member states to global challenges, Chairman of the Russian Government Mikhail Mishustin said at the meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government in Bishkek.

"The common priority task is to ensure the resilience of our countries to global challenges, to reliably protect citizens and businesses in the face of increasing competition and turbulence, as well as tougher protectionist measures and illegal sanctions that disrupt supply chains of goods and services around the world. Together we are capable of coping with this. This is evidenced by the progressive growth in the volume of mutual trade," the Russian prime minister said.

He added that the implementation of the economic development strategy for this decade will further deepen cooperation.

"For mutually beneficial economic cooperation there is need to further eliminate legal and administrative barriers and at the same time build a modern payment infrastructure. We are increasingly using our own currencies in settlements. We should also think about forming an independent regional payment and settlement mechanism," Mishustin noted.

One of the promising areas, as noted by the head of the Russian government, is the expansion of ties in the field of transportation.

"Last year, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization approved the Concept for the Development of Interconnectivity and the Creation of Efficient Transport Corridors. I suggest that my colleagues become more actively involved in the implementation of such a significant document, instruct the relevant agencies to take the necessary measures and start drafting an international treaty on the use of transit potential of our states. It is also necessary to continue the preparation of a memorandum on the development of highways in the SCO area. I recall that Russia has come forward with such an initiative. Comprehensive joint efforts on the transport track will allow to increase trade turnover, develop new markets, which will benefit both our citizens and businesses," Mishustin concluded.