On 9 September 2020, President of Russia Vladimir Putin met with the participants of the upcoming meeting of the SCO Foreign Ministers Council.
The Russian President noted that despite the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic, the SCO continues playing an important role in ensuring peace, security and sustainable development in Eurasia with reliance on the principles of equality and mutual consideration of interests.
Vladimir Putin emphasised the smooth foreign policy coordination of the SCO member states in overcoming political risks and cross-border security challenges associated with outstanding regional conflicts, terrorist threats, illegal drug trafficking, as well as organised and ICT crime.
The President spoke about the need to expand SCO cooperation in the economy, establish technological partnerships and common transport and logistics infrastructure, and transfer to national currencies in mutual transactions, including through using the mechanisms of the Business Council, the Interbank Consortium, the Forum of Regional Heads and the SCO Youth Council.
The President noted that third countries and international organisations pay special attention to the SCO activities, which is borne out by their numerous requests to upgrade their status in the SCO or join its efforts.
President Putin reported on the preparations for the forthcoming Heads of State Council Meeting via videoconference and expressed confidence that its participants would discuss in detail the ways of further promoting comprehensive SCO cooperation.
Following the Russian President's meeting with SCO foreign ministers, the foreign ministers of the current and upcoming SCO chairmanships — Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin — delivered speeches.