“Mutual trust is declining”: Tokayev addresses SCO leaders

Tengrinews.kz — Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which is being held in Kyrgyzstan.
In his address, the President of Kazakhstan expressed gratitude to Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and the entire Kyrgyz people for their traditionally warm hospitality and the high level of organization of the event.

“It is symbolic that our meeting is taking place as two countries close to us celebrate historic dates — the 35th anniversaries of the independence of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Taking this opportunity, I congratulate my esteemed colleagues, Sadyr Japarov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on these historically important occasions. I wish the brotherly peoples well-being and continued prosperity,” the President of Kazakhstan said.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that over the past quarter-century, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has come a long way from the Shanghai Five to a major international organization spanning much of Eurasia and bringing together nearly half of humanity.
President Tokayev also noted that the SCO represents a unique spectrum of countries that differ in many respects 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 highly relevant international organization. At the same time, the world in which our Organization was created has changed significantly. We are witnessing the formation of a new architecture of international relations. Consolidation is giving way to fragmentation, the pursuit of cooperation to geopolitical rivalry, and the search for a balance of interests to deepening fault lines. Mutual trust is declining, and without it even the most advanced international institutions gradually lose their ability to respond effectively to emerging challenges. Against this backdrop, the very nature of our Organization takes on particular significance,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

According to him, the SCO operates outside the logic of military-political blocs and is not directed against any state. It is based on a fundamentally different political philosophy — the Shanghai Spirit, rooted in the idea of working together for progress.

“Our main goal is to build a strong and prosperous SCO community,” the President of Kazakhstan said.

Tokayev arrived at the Yrys Ordo Congress Hall in Bishkek on September 1 to attend the 26th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the SCO Plus meeting.
Photo by the Akorda press service
The President of Kazakhstan was welcomed by Sadyr Japarov.
A joint photo of the SCO heads of state. Photo by the Akorda press service.