Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will leave for Russia Thursday (today) to participate in the 16th meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) being held at Sochi, Russia, from Nov 30-Dec 01, 2017. Spokesperson of the foreign office Dr Mohammad Faisal said that the PM will undertake the visit on the invitation of his Russian counterpart DA Medvedev.
This is the first for Pakistan to participate in SCO Heads of Government meeting after the assumption of full membership of SCO in June this year, he said, adding that the meeting is mandated to focus on the strategy, prospects and priorities for SCO's developmental cooperation. The SCO now comprises eight member states, namely Pakistan, China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It has four observer states; Iran, Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia and six dialogue partners; Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey.
The SCO objectives include building mutual trust, equality, respect for cultural diversity and good neighbourly relations. It aims to promote effective cooperation in the areas of political, security, trade, economy and social sectors. SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) contributes towards regional peace, security and stability.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will participate in the SCO Retreat being hosted by the Russian Prime Minister with his other SCO counterparts, Dr Faisal said, adding that the Retreat will be followed by a Plenary Session of the Council of Heads of Government where Prime Minister will deliver a statement. At the plenary, he said that the Prime Minister will outline Pakistan's commitment to SCO's objectives including fighting terrorism and extremism and its sincere interest in regional peace, stability and development. The meeting will close on a signing ceremony of decisions and Joint Communiqué by the heads of delegations, he added.