by Kathy Whitehead
Delivering a speech at the 15th prime minister's summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Afghan CEO Abdullah Abdullah on Thursday requested Afghanistan be made a full member of the SCO and that its members support the move.
He said Afghanistan attaches great importance to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a regional platform for addressing international terrorism, violent extremism, separatism and narcotics through confidence-building and enhanced economic and security cooperation.
He said Afghanistan's request for becoming a full-fledged member of the SCO is "testimony of my government's firm resolve to participate and contribute to the discussions and policy lines adopted by this forum. I am, therefore, requesting that all SCO members extend their full support for Afghanistan's membership."
The 15th prime minister's summit was held Thursday in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan and member states were expected to discuss issues of trade, economy and scientific-technical cooperation.
Attending the summit are full member countries, observer countries, dialogue partners and non-governmental organizations including the UN Secretariat. Kyrgyzstan Prime Minister Sooronbay Jeenbekov is chairing this year's summit.
Abdullah said Afghanistan stands at a new and critical juncture. "In the last two years, the Afghan National Unity Government has been focused on preserving the hard-gained achievements of the past 15 years, and has taken major steps to fight terrorism, improve good governance, expand rule of law, limit corruption, implement electoral reform, enhance regional cooperation and provide opportunities for the promotion of private sector activity, investment and economic development."
He said security and stability continue to be major concerns for the people and for the Afghan government.
Read the full story at TOLOnews