BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 1. The Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) has come a long way from the
"Shanghai Five" to a major international organization spanning much
of Eurasia and bringing together almost half of humanity, President
of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said, Trend's special correspondent reports.
Tokayev made the statement while addressing the meeting of the
Council of Heads of State of the SCO member states in Bishkek.
"The SCO represents a unique palette of countries that differ in
essence but are united in spirit, putting into practice the
principles of non-interference, respect for sovereignty, mutual
trust, openness and cooperation. Today, it is a truly successful,
influential and sought-after international structure. At the same
time, the world in which our Organization was created has changed
significantly. We have witnessed the formation of a new
architecture of international relations," Tokayev said.
The head of state noted that consolidation is giving way to
fragmentation, the pursuit of cooperation to geopolitical rivalry,
and the search for a balance of interests to deepening dividing
lines.
"Mutual trust is declining, without which even the most
sophisticated international institutions gradually lose their
ability to respond effectively to emerging challenges. Against this
backdrop, the very nature of our Organization takes on particular
importance. The SCO operates outside the logic of
military-political blocs and is not directed against any states. It
is based on a completely different political philosophy - the
"Shanghai Spirit," rooted in the ideas of working together for the
sake of progress. Our main goal is to build a strong and prosperous
SCO community," Tokayev said.
