DUSAHNBE, September 13, Asia-Plus - Issues related to cooperation between member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) figured prominently in the figured prominently in the SCO Executive Secretary Zhang Deguang’ discussions with President Emomali Rahmonov in Dushanbe today.  

A source in presidential press service says the two also discussed the agenda of the fifth meeting of heads of government from member nations of the SCO that will be held in Dushanbe on September 15.  

The SCO executive secretary hailed the present political situation in Tajikistan.

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with President Rahmonov, Zhang said, “I have always kept up with the political situation in this country, which had difficulties in its development; however, national unity and accord have been reestablished and it is currently developing promptly.”    

 “Stability in Tajikistan is of significant importance, first of all, for Central Asia and member nations of the SCO,” the SCO executive secretary stressed.  

According to him, their talks also focused on providing regional security, expansion of economic, political and humanitarian cooperation within the organization.   

On the SCO prime ministers’ meeting in Dushanbe, Zhang noted that it is aiming to consider issues related to a progress of the implementation of resolutions passed by the SCO summit that was held in Shanghai in June this year.  These issues include cooperation in the fields of economy, telecommunications, transportation, energy, environmental protection, and education.  

According to him, he and President Rahmonov also considered issues of post-war reconstruction of Afghanistan’s economy.  “We are interested in reestablishment of stability in this country, because stability and security of the SCO states depend on security and stability in Afghanistan,” the SCO executive secretary, noting that SCO and Afghanistan set up a contact group to consider measures to reconstruct Afghanistan’s economy and jointly fight modern threats and challenges.