A meeting of heads of states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held today in the capital city of Ufa of the Republic of Bashkortostan of the Russian Federation.
It brought together the heads of all member states, observers, dialogue partners, invited States, as well as representatives of various international and regional organizations.
The enlarged meeting was also attended by the head of 5 observer countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and high-level representatives of international and regional organizations.
President of the Republic of Tajikistan in a speech presented a number of concrete proposals that found support. In particular, it was emphasized that "Working with youth and for youth should be an important priority of the SCO," and suggested that "one of the coming years should be declared the "Year of Youth".
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon once again supported the idea of "economic belt" of the Great Silk Road, and stressed that "We see it as a great potential for expanding trade and economic cooperation in the SCO."
President Emomali Rahmon expressed his gratitude to the SCO member states for support of the representative of Tajikistan Rashid Olimov in election to the post of Secretary-General of the SCO and expressed appreciation for Russia's chairmanship of the organization as welll as voiced confidence that the presidency of Uzbekistan will also be fruitful.
Following the statements by heads of State a number of documents was signed, including the basic procedure for the accession of India and Pakistan in SCO. In addition, a formal application for membership in the organization has already been received from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Also, a number of other countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Sri Lanka, Syria, Ukraine, Maldives, Cambodia, Egypt also asked for observer or a partner status in SCO.
The main outcome of the summit was the adoption of the Strategy of development of the SCO until 2025, Ufa Declaration, Agreement on Cooperation on border issues, as well as program of cooperation in the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism for the next three-year period (2016-2018).