Goa, 5 May 2023 (TDI): Today, Foreign Minister of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirodjiddin Mukhriddin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting (SCO-CFM), which is taking place in Goa, India.
In the meeting, they comprehensively discussed bilateral relations. Both the Foreign Ministers concurred to strengthen economic ties further. They emphasized the early completion of connectivity projects, particularly CASA-1000. They also discussed international and regional issues important to both countries.
The CASA-1000 is a renewable energy project. Under the project, the two central Asian states, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, will supply 1300-MW of hydropower-based electricity to South Asian states, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Also Read: Pakistan and Russia strengthen ties at SCO-CFM
This project will reduce electricity shortages faced by the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan during the peak summer time. Moreover, it will significantly enhance energy connectivity between the two regions.
India is hosting the current SCO-CFM meeting taking place in Goa. Foreign Ministers of the member countries are meeting in Goa from 4-5 May. This important meeting will pave the way for the SCO Leaders’ Summit to be held in July in New Delhi.
Also Read: Pakistan Foreign Minister’s First Briefing on Reaching India
Shanghai Cooperation Organization
SCO currently has eight members. These members are China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Since its birth in 2001, the SCO has largely dealt with regional terrorism, regional security, ethnic separatism, religious extremism, and regional development.
The Agenda of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Council of Foreign Ministers SCO-CFM includes the day-to-day activities of the organization, arranging the meetings of the Council of Heads of State, and discussing international issues. Moreover, CFM has the privilege to issue statements on behalf of SCO.
){kind=link}