[Title] PRESS RELEASE Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

A regular meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO CMFA) was held on July 12-13, 2013 in Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyz Republic). The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan K. Sarybay, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic E. Abdyldaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation S. Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan H. Zarifi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan A. Kamilov .

The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic E. Abdyldaev.

The SCO Secretary General D. Mezentsev and Director of the Executive Committee of the Regional Antiterrorist Structure of the SCO Zhang Sinfen participated in the meeting.

In the context of the preparations for the forthcoming Bishkek summit of the SCO member states, the meeting discussed issues related to further deepening and improving multifaceted cooperation within the Organization and enhancing the SCO role in the international and regional affairs. A thorough exchange of views took place on relevant international issues and the situation in the region, as well as on the expansion of SCO relations with other countries and multilateral organizations.

The heads of delegations stated that since the meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO member states held on 6-7 June 2012 in Beijing, a major work had been done to develop and intensify multifaceted cooperation in security, as well as in political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas. The meeting has taken a number of decisions on substantive and organizational issues of the forthcoming meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO member states to be held in Bishkek.

The heads of delegations exchanged views on the current international situation. They have noted the similarity and identity of the approaches of the SCO member states to relevant global and regional problems which enhances the potential for partnership in international affairs. The meeting confirmed the common intent to consistently deepen cooperation and coordination between the foreign ministries.

The heads of delegations have pointed out that international relations are undergoing serious processes that affect the realities of modern politics and economics. Challenges related to effective joint countering of global threats and challenges, the sustainable socio-economic development of the SCO region comes to the forefront.

The heads of delegations expressed grave concern over the developments in the Middle East and North Africa, and expressed their support to the achievement of peace, stability, prosperity and progress in the region on the basis of universally recognized norms and principles of international law.

The heads of delegations have noted that the development of the situation in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan affect peace and stability in the region. They confirmed the UN central role in the international efforts to resolve the situation in Afghanistan and supported the desire of the Afghan people to ensure peaceful recovery and revival of the country. The SCO favors the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as an independent, peaceful, neutral and prosperous nation, free from terrorism and drug-related crime.

The member states actively and consistently combat international terrorism, separatism and extremism, transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, as well as weapons, ammunition and explosives, threats to information security, illegal migration. They support continues improvement of the regulatory framework for cooperation in these areas.

The heads of delegations consider necessary to take measures aimed at creating an effectively functioning system of joint struggle against the drug menace, building a reliable barrier to illegal circulation of narcotics, psychotropic substances and their precursors, as well as countering the spread of drug addiction. They favor active cooperation with other interested states, regional and international organizations and agencies in this regard.

The heads of delegations have noted that strengthened mutually beneficial cooperation between the SCO member states in trade, economic, investment, financial, transport, telecommunications, agriculture, and innovation areas contributes to the sustainable development of the member states. They have expressed willingness to intensify efforts aimed at preparing joint projects in these areas and continue elaborating funding mechanisms for the project activities in the Organization’s framework.

The heads of delegations spoke in favor of further developing cooperation in scientific, technical, cultural and humanitarian areas, as well as in public health and tourism, and natural disasters relief.

The Agreement between the governments of the SCO member states on scientific and technical cooperation signed at the meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO member states held in Bishkek is intended to give a new impetus to the cooperation in this field.

The heads of delegations expressed their appreciation for the work done on coordination and preparation of the Action Plan for the 2013-2017 in support of the implementation of the Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation among the SCO Member States.

They have instructed to continue work on the a Procedure (Rules) for granting the status of the SCO member state and the new version of the model Memorandum of Commitment of a state applying for SCO membership.

The heads of delegations noted continued expansion of the SCO international relations and increased overall authority of the Organization in the world. They have confirmed that the member states, guided by the open nature of the Organization, are set to further strengthen cooperation in international and regional affairs with the UN and other international and regional organizations.

They have confirmed the need for greater involvement of the SCO observer states and dialogue partners with the practical cooperation within the Organization.

The SCO Secretary-General D. Mezentsev presented a Report of the Secretariat on the work over the past year, which was approved by the ministers.

The heads of delegations appreciated the ongoing work carried out by the presiding party on the preparation for the forthcoming Bishkek summit of the SCO member states.

The heads of delegations welcomed China's efforts to improve the working conditions of the SCO Secretariat.

The meeting was held in a spirit of friendship and mutual understanding.