The SCO intends to speed up its development

By Rhod Mackenzie

At the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries, the national coordinators were instructed to speed up the preparation of concrete proposals to improve the association's activities in line with modern realities. This is stated in the message of the Russian Foreign Ministry published after the meeting.

"The meeting focused on issues of the further consolidation and development of the SCO in the context of the comprehensive improvement of its activities in relation to modern realities. The progress of work on the implementation of decisions taken at the highest level was reviewed, and the national coordinators of member states were instructed to speed up the preparation of concrete proposals," - said in the statement.

It is also reported that the heads of foreign ministries reached a consensus on a number of key global and regional issues.

"We confirmed our common commitment to jointly address the security challenges and threats in the interests of ensuring stability and sustainable development in the SCO region. The intention is to strengthen interaction between the SCO and the UN, as well as relations with other multilateral associations, was particularly emphasised. The member states will further deepen foreign policy coordination, including on the agenda of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly," the document specified.