DUSHANBE, July 14. /TASS/. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers have called on the conflicting sides in Afghanistan to abstain from using force or taking steps that can lead to destabilization in the republic’s border areas, a joint statement signed by the ministers on the outcomes of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group meeting on Wednesday informs.
"We strongly call on all sides involved in the conflict in Afghanistan to abstain from using force or taking action that may lead to destabilization and unpredictable consequences in the areas of Afghanistan’s borders with SCO member states," the document says.
The activity of international terrorist organizations remains one of the key instability factors, the SCO member states stressed, expressing concern over the escalation of tensions in Afghanistan’s northern districts "as a result of a sharp increase in concentration of various terrorist, separatist and extremist groups". "We consider it important to scale up joint efforts of the SCO member states with the aim of countering terrorism, separatism and extremism," the statement notes.
At the same time, the SCO member states have reaffirmed their readiness to cooperate with Afghanistan to deal with the threats and challenges in the region, which include terrorism and drug crime.
The countries also expressed their interest in Afghanistan becoming a peaceful, stable and prosperous country, reaffirming their respect for the traditions and culture of all nations populating the republic. "In accordance with the generally recognized principles and norms of international law, first and foremost, the UN Charter, the SCO member states reaffirm their respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan. They aim to aid Afghanistan on its path to becoming a country free of terrorism, war and drugs," the document reads.
In order to stabilize the situation in the country, the SCO states call on other players and international structures to expand their cooperation with Afghanistan. "We confirm the readiness of our countries to expand further cooperation with Afghanistan in the spheres of politics, security, economic and humanitarian cooperation, namely through the complete implementation of the potential of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s participation in SCO activity as an observer state," the representatives of the organization concluded.