Islamabad, June 10, 2018 (PPI-OT):On invitation of the Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping, the President of Pakistan Mr. Mamnoon Hussain is visiting People’s Republic of China to participate in the 18th Meeting of the Council of the Heads of State of SCO Member States at Qingdao China from 9-10 June, 2018.
The Council of the Heads of State, which convenes annually, is the highest decision-making forum of the SCO. It reviews performance of the organization and its bodies and makes fundamental decisions about future course of action. China has held chairmanship of the Council since the last Summit in Astana in June 2017, which will now pass on to Kyrgyzstan.
Mr. Xi Jinping chaired the meeting today which was participated by the Heads of State of SCO Member States which, besides the President of Pakistan, included the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Prime Minister of India. The leaders of four Observer States of SCO; Presidents of Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia also participated in the meeting.
The Heads of State held a ‘restricted format’ meeting of the leaders of member states in the morning followed by a plenary session. The leaders exchanged views on contemporary regional and global issues. They agreed to further enhance cooperation and mutual trust to realize the maximum potential offered by the organization. The Heads of State reiterated their commitment to the Charter of SCO and to the ”Shanghai Spirit” which includes reference to mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development.
The Summit witnessed signing of over 20 documents outlining future SCO trajectory in a number of spheres. Besides the Qingdao Declaration these included: Action Plan on implementing the provisions of Treaty on Long-term Good Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation; Cooperation Plan on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism; Anti-Drug Strategy and its Plan of Action, Concept on Preventing the Abuse of Narcotic Drugs; Declaration on Trade Facilitation; Vision on Environment Protection; and Joint Appeal of Heads of State on the necessity to prevent involvement of youth in activities of destructive nature and Action Plan.
Besides cooperation Agreements/MOUs in various fields such as cooperation on countering threats of Epidemics; MOU on stimulating cooperation in the SMEs, and cooperation in Customs related fields were signed. An MOU for cooperation between SCO and UNESCO was also signed at the occasion. The Council confirmed appointment of new Secretary General of SCO Mr. N.V.Imamovich and Mr. Mr. G. D.Fayozovichnew Executive Director of SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.
President Mamnoon Hussain, in his address thanked member states, SCO Secretary General and Director of Executive Committee of RATS for their valuable contribution towards Pakistan’s successful assimilation in the organization. He also commended the dynamic Chinese chairmanship under which SCO had made considerable progress. He stated that Pakistan was a natural and logical partner of SCO as it shares deep rooted historical and cultural links with its members.
The President reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to SCO’s Charter and to the Shanghai Spirit. Highlighting importance of intra SCO connectivity and economic integration he reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to act as a conduit between Eurasia, China, Central and South Asia and, offered Pakistan-SCO Trade, Transit and Energy Corridor, through its territory. In this regard, he reiterated Pakistan’s offer to connect CPEC to the six main road corridors of SCO. Pakistan had been actively supporting SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS). Sharing SCO’s concern over drug trafficking President stressed the need of a comprehensive effort to counter Narcotics and illicit drugs in the region and its neighborhood under the ambit of SCO.
President Mamnoon Hussain also underscored Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in Afghanistan through an Afghan led, Afghan owned process of peace and reconciliation, He welcomed President Ghani’s initiatives towards this end. The President held bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping of China, President Putin of Russia, President Rahmon of Tajikistan, President Rouhani of Iran and President Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. He also interacted with other SCO leaders on the sidelines of the Summit.
For more information, contact:
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: +92-51-9205494
Fax: +92-51-9204202
Cell: +92-336-5644459
Website: www.mofa.gov.pk