Heads of SCO member states sign Astana Declaration

    During the SCO Summit in Astana, the heads of the Organization's member states signed a number of important documents, Kazinform reports.
    Among the documents signed were the SCO Convention on Countering Extremism, the statement on joint counteraction to international terrorism, the Astana Declaration, and a number of internal documents.
    "We discussed the current state of affairs, further steps to promote comprehensive cooperation, as well as current international issues related to the activities of the SCO. I am sure that the exchange of views that took place, as well as the initiatives and proposals put forward, will find practical application taking into account the interests of our countries. Such an approach will strengthen relations within the SCO and will help to increase the effectiveness of the Organization's activities," President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev noted, summing up the results of the Summit.
    Kazakh President thanked his counterparts for the constructive dialogue and productive proposals.
    "According to the regulations after the end of the meeting of the Council, the presidency in SCO passes to the People's Republic of China," concluded Nursultan Nazarbayev.
    The heads of state highly appreciated Kazakhstan's presidency in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Secretary-General of the Organization Rashid Alimov told a presser on the results of the Astana Summit, Kazinform correspondent reports.
    "The heads of state highly praised the presidency of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the SCO and expressed their gratitude to the Kazakh side for the hospitality rendered during the events in Astana. Kazakhstan's presidency in the SCO deservedly received the highest praise. In the course of preparations for the summit, the constant attention of the President and the Government of Kazakhstan could be sensed. Suffice it to say that over the 345 days of Kazakhstan's presidency, more than 300 various level events and orientation took place. And the crowning achievement was, of course, the SCO's Astana summit. It was really an outstanding time of work in all spheres of the Organization's activity," Rashid Alimov told journalists.
    He noted that during its presidency, the country's achievements were presented at more than 100 different international conferences, forums and venues in Asia, Europe, and America.
    Rashid Alimov also emphasized that during Kazakhstan's presidency, the SCO's and UN interaction has reached a qualitatively new level.
    "The first ever high-level joint events between these organizations were held at the UN Headquarters in New York and at its Vienna branch. And in his speech at the Summit, the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, welcomed the strengthening of cooperation between the UN and the SCO," concluded Rashid Alimov.
    It noteworthy that the current summit became crucial for India and Pakistan, as today in Astana their admission to the SCO was finalized.
    Reported by Kazinform.