Dushanbe, 13 July 2021 (TDI): Foreign Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member countries called on President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon today. Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi was also present on the occasion.
At the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin, the Chair of the meeting, Foreign Ministers from regional member countries are in Dushanbe for this important moot. The Foreign Ministers of all SCO member states will be participating in the SCO-CFM.
The SCO-CFM deliberates on important regional and international issues and considers documents for approval and adoption by the Council of Heads of State.
The Dushanbe SCO-CFM will consider several important documents for subsequent adoption in the SCO Council of Heads of State in September 2021.
The Foreign Minister will also hold a number of bilateral meetings with counterparts from member states on the sidelines of the CFM.
Foreign Minister Qureshi will also participate in the meeting of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group, being held at the Ministerial level. The Foreign Minister will share Pakistan’s perspective on the situation in Afghanistan and stress the imperative of a peaceful, negotiated political solution.
During the call with the President of Tajikistan, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan congratulated the Tajik President on successful stewardship of SCO under its Presidency, during which new areas were identified to further strengthen cooperation under SCO.
Foreign Minister Qureshi, recalling Tajik President’s visit to Pakistan in June 2021, remarked that the visit provided fresh impetus to already strong bilateral ties and opened new vistas of collaboration.
The Foreign Minister highlighted the government’s Vision Central Asia policy to enhance outreach to Central Asian Republics.
Underlining that the absence of connectivity impedes strong ties, Foreign Minister Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s interest to work with Central Asian Republics on rail, road, and energy projects which would link Central Asia with Pakistan. The Foreign Minister added that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) provides an ideal opportunity in this regard.
On the regional security situation, the Foreign Minister emphasized that the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan had opened new challenges and opportunities. He expressed the hope that SCO would continue to play its due role in support of the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Qureshi is in Dushanbe to participate in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting and the SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan.
