SCO Summit in Astana starts today
Astana, Kazakhstan: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit starts here in Astana today.
The agenda of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Astana Summit includes review of implementation of the Development strategy of SCO till 2025, strengthening regional security, fighting terrorism and extremism, combating drug trafficking and developing cooperation within the expanded organisation.
Two countries of South Asia are expected to become full members of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation during Astana Summit, expanding the reach of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as far as India. It is pertinent to mention that India and Pakistan are Observers of SCO and process of their full membership is expected to take place in Astana Summit under the guidelines set by Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Ufa Summit.
“The two new countries will go through official procedures to become members during the 17th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO”, indicated official documents available for press and media persons.
According to available information, Astana Summit will help in strengthening of regional security, development of economic cooperation, deepening of cultural and humanitarian ties among member states.
China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are full members of SCO while Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia have observer status. India and Pakistan are observers and waiting for their full membership in Astana Summit.
The Summit will start today (on June 8) here in Astana and will continue till the evening of June 9, 2017.
Heads of states of Afghanistan, Belarus, China, Iran, India, Mongolia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Russia and Uzbekistan would attend June 9 session. Heads of state will attend opening ceremony of Expo-2017 Astana that will host thousands of guests from all over the world.
Dispatch News Desk (DND) news agency from Pakistan adds:
Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif will hold meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as other heads of states of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states.
