On 22 May 2019, following a meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers in Bishkek, SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov and Kyrgyzstani Foreign Minister Chyngyz Aidarbekov held a briefing for media representatives.
The Secretary-General said that the foreign ministers had approved a substantial package of documents that would be submitted for inclusion in the agenda of the meeting of the heads of state. The documents aim to enhance cooperation between the regions of SCO countries, strengthen the fight against illicit drug trafficking and establish cooperation in information technology, environment protection, healthcare and sports.
Mr Norov focused on the Bishkek Declaration of the Council of Heads of State, which reflected the leaders' common vision of the prospects for the SCO's development as well as their consolidated positions on topical international and regional problems.
It was noted that the ministers had approved the decision to establish cooperation between the SCO Secretariat and several international and regional organisations. The corresponding memorandums will be signed on the sidelines of the Bishkek summit.
Mr Norov stressed the important role that Kyrgyzstan's chairmanship in the SCO had played in strenghtening the new eight-sided format of relations built on the principles of the "Shanghai spirit" and promotion of the goals and tasks envisaged in the SCO Charter as well as constructive partnership.
It was also noted that not only official events of great political importance were held as part of Kyrgyzstan's chairmanship in the SCO but also such large-scale events as the SCO Issyk-Kul Marathon, the SCO Women's Forum and the SCO Business Forum.
In conclusion, the Secretary-General expressed his gratitude to the leaders and government of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister Chyngyz Aidarbekov for the successful carrying out of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers' meeting.