The Kazakh capital is hosting a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Russia is represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The heads of delegations will discuss preparations for the group’s 3-4 July summit, as well as topical international and regional issues. Special attention will be paid to the prospects for further development of the association and its adaptation to the formation of a new world order.

The ministers will consider candidates for the new SCO Secretary General and Director of the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.

Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu noted at the meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers that the SCO has gained the status of an authoritative and effective platform for multidisciplinary co-operation over almost a quarter of a century of its development.

“The fundamental principles of the Shanghai spirit – good-neighbourliness, friendship and mutual support – have become the hallmark of our organisation,” he said.

Earlier, on the margins of the SCO Ministerial Council, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko held a meeting with his Indian counterpart Dammu Ravi.

“There was an exchange of views on a wide range of bilateral and international issues with a focus on co-operation in the UN, BRICS and SCO,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iran is being represented by Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Mehdi Safari.

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