SOCHI (Russia): Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi arrived here on Thursday to participate in the 16th meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Upon his arrival at the airport, the prime minister was warmly received by Deputy Governor of Krasnodar Region Vasiliv Shvetz, Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia Qazi M. Khalilullah and other officials.

Prime Minister Abbasi is participating in the SCO meeting on the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, which is being held from Nov 30 to Dec 1 (today).

It will be the first SCO heads of government meeting in which Pakistan will participate after assumption of full membership in June this year.

The meeting is mandated to focus on the strategy, prospects and priorities for SCOs developmental cooperation.

Mr Abbasi will participate in the SCO retreat being hosted by the Russian prime minister with his other SCO counterparts.

The retreat will be followed by a plenary session of the council of heads of government where Prime Minister Abbasi will deliver a statement.

At the plenary, he will outline Pakistan’s commitment to the SCOs objectives including fighting terrorism, sincere interest in regional peace, stability and development.

The meeting will close with on a signing ceremony of decisions and joint communiqué by the heads of delegations.

Prime Minister Abbasi will also hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.

SCO now has eight member states: Pakistan, China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

It also has four observer states: Iran, Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia and six dialogue partners including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2017