Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Goa, urging the member nations to refrain from using “terrorism for diplomatic point scoring” and highlighting the importance of collective security.
Bilawal emphasized that the SCO could be a “key platform for taking the vision of Eurasian connectivity to the next level” and reiterated Pakistan’s adherence to the “principles of mutual trust, equality, respect for cultural diversity, and the pursuit of shared development enshrined in the original ‘Shanghai Spirit’”.
FM @BBhuttoZardari‘s addressing the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting. pic.twitter.com/FEeXKfKoiJ
— Spokesperson ???????? MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) May 5, 2023
The foreign minister also advocated for closer cooperation for poverty alleviation under the SCO, highlighting the organization’s role in promoting “mutual understanding, security and development through constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation”.
Indian Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar also addressed the SCO meeting, highlighting the issue of cross-border terrorism and advocating for the “channel of activities for terrorist activities” to be “seized and blocked without distinction”.
#WATCH | The menace of terrorism continues unabated. We firmly believe that there can be no justification for terrorism and it must be stopped in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism. Combating terrorism is one of the original mandates of SCO…: EAM… pic.twitter.com/xsdqz1Tz0I
— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2023
The SCO comprises eight member states – Pakistan, India, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The meeting discussed issues of collective security, regional connectivity, and poverty alleviation.
The unfolding situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power was also discussed, with both ministers noting the need for efforts to be directed towards the welfare of the Afghan people.
Bilawal attends SCO meeting: Pakistan ‘satisfied’ with Indian welcome
