SHANGHAI, June 13: President General Pervez Musharraf arrived here on Tuesday to represent Pakistan at the summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). He was given a warm reception on his arrival at the Pudong airport.
President Musharraf is attending the summit for the first time at the special invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao. He will address the SCO’s preliminary session.
Earlier, talking to journalists before his departure for a three-day visit to China, Gen Musharraf said that Pakistan would seek to work with member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation for development, peace and security of the region.
He said that his participation in the summit would bolster Pakistan’s efforts for securing full membership of the organisation.
He said his meetings with leaders of the regional countries on the sidelines of the summit would help enhance bilateral trade and economic ties. Referring to Pakistan’s location, he said it would serve as a trade corridor for regional countries.
He said his talks with SCO leaders would also augment cooperation and coordination on intelligence as every country of the region was affected as far security aspect was concerned.
Established in 2001, the SCO comprises China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan while Pakistan, Iran, India and Mangolia have the observers’ status.—Agencies
