SCO has become inspiring example of model of international relations, says Zhaparov

Bishkek, July 4, 2023. /Kabar/. "The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has become an inspiring example of a model of international relations based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and the pursuit of joint development,” President Sadyr Zhaparov said, speaking at a meeting of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in a virtual format.

At the beginning of his speech, the Kyrgyz leader expressed gratitude for India's fruitful chairmanship in the SCO, noting that during this time India has done a lot of work to further strengthen cooperation among the SCO states in the priority areas of cooperation.

Zhaparov stressed that accession of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the ranks of full-fledged members of the SCO would be one of the major outcomes of the joint work. The accession of such a reliable partner as the Republic of Belarus as a full-fledged member of the SCO has also been expected to be a success. It is gratifying that the geography of the "SCO family" has considerably expanded over the past period.

In view of the solid and promising potential of the SCO dialogue partners, whose total number has reached 14 countries, the president of Kyrgyzstan proposed to instruct the Secretariat to develop a "Road Map" of joint activities.

"I believe that it will allow to more actively involve our dialogue partners in implementation of joint projects in trade, investment, banking, transport, energy, as well as in cultural and humanitarian spheres, including tourism and education. It is necessary to tap into the great potential of cooperation. The considerable expansion of SCO's geographical coverage in recent years confirms the growing interest of the international community in our Organization. And this is quite understandable. In these days when there is an acute deficit of dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation in the world, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has become an inspiring example of a model of international relations based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and the desire for joint development," Sadyr Zhaparov said.

The Kyrgyz leader emphasized that the Kyrgyz Republic as a founding member state is firmly committed to the spirit and letter of the SCO Charter and fully supports joint efforts to ensure the security and sustainable development of member states.