The Kazakh delegation led by Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Beibut Atamkulov participated in the annual meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers' Council (SCO FMC), reports the press service of MFA.

During the meeting, the SCO Foreign Ministers constructively exchanged views on pressing international and regional issues, and discussed the priorities to further develop the SCO's political, economic and humanitarian activities, as well as to enhance SCO cooperation with international and regional organizations.

The Foreign Ministers of India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan reviewed and approved preparations for the upcoming SCO Heads of State Council meeting to be held next month on June 14, the Bishkek Declaration and Information Report of the Summit, and also a number of other decisions on the organization's activities.

The meeting participants noted the SCO's positive development as a solid platform for strengthening mutual understanding, trust-based dialogue and equal partnership between the member states. The participants welcomed the desire to extend and deepen the member states' interaction in preventing threats to stability and security and ensuring the sustainable development of the SCO region.

The participants strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and advocated for the creation of a single global anti-terrorism platform with a central coordinating role of the UN. In this context, they stressed the importance of consistent implementation of the Code of Conduct provisions adopted at the Kazakh initiative in September 2018 to achieve a world free of terrorism.

It was agreed that efforts should be made to improve the global economic governance framework and develop trade, economic and investment cooperation.

In his speech, the Kazakh Foreign Minister voiced Kazakhstan's positions on such major issues as combating international terrorism, illicit drug trafficking and regional conflicts settlement, including in Syria and the Middle East.

Mr. Atamkulov briefed the participants on the international initiatives of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev, including the need to establish a systemic economic dialogue between major regional structures, including the EAEU, EU, SCO and ASEAN.

During the exchange of views on the further development of economic cooperation within the SCO, the sides were informed about the implementation of Kazakhstan's initiatives, including increasing the share of national currencies in mutual settlements, utilizing the Astana International Financial Center, and creating a digital platform for the organization.

Kazakhstan reaffirmed its intention to continue active work in all areas of cooperation to strengthen peace, stability and welfare of its people.

The FMC participants commended Kyrgyzstan for organizing the SCO FMC meeting.

Following the meeting, an Information Report of the SCO Foreign Ministers was adopted.

“The Qazaq Times”