SCO Secretary-General: Cooperation is the fundamental partnership factor within SCO. SCO Secretariat delegation finishes work at Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary-General Rashid Alimov's busy agenda at the Eastern Economic Forum has been rounded off by reviewing the results of the meetings, negotiations in various formats and the events of the 2017 Eastern Economic Forum.

The Secretary-General attended the forum's key event, a plenary session with President Vladimir Putin, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe.

Rashid Alimov's meeting with Russian Transport Minister Maksim Sokolov focused on transportation cooperation within the SCO and the development of transit potential in the Eurasian continent, primarily in the context of the SCO Agreement on International Road Transportation Facilitation.

During the panel session Fostering Cooperation from Lisbon to Vladivostok, Mr Alimov talked about the SCO countries' cooperation in fighting security threats and challenges, international terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime. He stressed that trust and mutual respect between partners was the most important element of stable cooperation. "During the 16 years of the SCO, its member countries have developed a model of trust-based relations founded on the principles of mutual respect, equality and regard for each other's interests," he said. "The SCO partnership is not aimed against anyone, it is meant to promote joint development and strengthen versatile multilateral cooperation between SCO members. This is the key to the Organization's success and achievements."

He also noted that "it is this approach to interstate interaction that can guarantee the development of cooperation in the vast space stretching from Lisbon to Vladivostok and serve as the basis for stability in the macro-region, for peace and joint sustainable development." He also stressed that "The SCO is not a military bloc, although an uncompromising fight against the terrorist threat dictates the need to develop and strengthen the mechanisms spearheaded at the radical extermination of terrorist activity. A special role in this context is played by the regular Peaceful Mission joint all-arms anti-terrorism exercises held by the armed forces of the SCO member states, exercises that facilitate joint training of practical skills needed in conducting military operations against terrorist groups."

The panel session was attended by prominent experts and political scientists from Russia, the US, the Republic of Korea and other countries.

Leading Russian and international news agencies showed high interest in the SCO, testifying to the growing public attention to the Organisation's activity. The SCO Secretary-General gave several interviews to the agencies and commented on some key international topics.