Shanghai Cooperation Organization rejects interference in countries’ affairs under the pretext of combating terrorism and condemns unilateral sanctions

The leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries stressed the need not to allow interference in the affairs of countries under the pretext of combating terrorism, stressing that the unilateral application of economic sanctions other than those adopted by the UN Security Council is contrary to the principles of international law.

In their statement at the conclusion of their summit in Uzbekistan today, the leaders condemned terrorist acts around the world and expressed their determination to continue working to curb terrorism and effectively eliminate the factors that spread it.

The Organization’s countries stressed the importance of holding joint military exercises to combat terrorism, to increase the level of interaction in combating armed formations of international terrorist organizations, and to improve methods of combating terrorism.

The Member States expressed their determination to establish a single list of terrorist, separatist and extremist organizations and to ban their activities on the territories of the Member States, stressing that the rapid settlement of the situation in Afghanistan through the formation of an inclusive government that includes representatives of all groups is one of the most important factors for enhancing security in the region.

It called on Member States to comply with the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction and expressed its support for the principle of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the world and the continuation of the nuclear disarmament process.

The SCO member states noted the importance of implementing the Iran nuclear deal in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and called on all participants to strictly fulfill their obligations for its comprehensive and effective implementation.

The organization stressed its continued expansion and deepening of cooperation with international organizations in a way that would contribute to ensuring security and stability in the region, especially as the world is now witnessing global changes accompanied by the exacerbation of conflicts and crises and a serious deterioration of the international situation as a whole.

The member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization pointed out the need to further enhance international cooperation in combating the spread of the coronavirus, work to strengthen an open multilateral trading system based on the principles and rules of the World Trade Organization, and oppose unilateral measures and trade restrictions that threaten the global economy.

Member States affirmed their commitment to making accurate assessments of the current international agenda, advocating for a more just world order and shaping a shared vision of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The countries declared their opposition to the use of the ICT sector in military operations and their support for the launch of a comprehensive international agreement under the auspices of the United Nations to combat the use of ICT for criminal purposes.

The SCO member states noted Russia’s initiative to conduct regular activities to identify and respond to emergency situations related to the sanitary and epidemiological situation.