Moscow. July 14. INTERFAX - The countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization condemn the ongoing violence in Afghanistan and are ready to assist the country in combating security challenges in the region, according to a joint statement by the foreign ministers of the SCO member states adopted following a meeting in the format of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group.
"We condemn the ongoing violence and terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, the victims of which are civilians and representatives of state authorities, and we stand for their early termination. We state that one of the key factors of instability in this country remains the activities of international terrorist organizations, " the statement says.
The SCO countries expressed deep concern about the increasing tension in the northern provinces of Afghanistan "as a result of a sharp increase in the concentration of various terrorist, separatist and extremist groups."
"We consider it important to increase the joint efforts of the SCO member states in order to counter terrorism, separatism and extremism," the document says.
The statement emphasizes the readiness of the SCO member states "to develop cooperation with Afghanistan in combating challenges and threats to security in the region, primarily terrorism and drug crime in all their forms and manifestations, and jointly resist "double standards" in solving these tasks."
The SCO countries declare respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, as well as their intention to assist Afghanistan "in becoming a country free from terrorism, war and drugs."
"We urge all parties involved in the conflict in Afghanistan to refrain from the use of force and actions that can lead to destabilization and unpredictable consequences in the areas of Afghanistan's borders with the SCO member states," the statement reads.
