Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries to support dialogue with Afghanistan.

During the latest meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council held on 4 July in Astana, Mirziyoyev noted that the summit began against the backdrop of escalating international tensions.

He emphasized the importance of adhering to the basic principles of the SCO, which contribute to its authority and stabilizing role in international affairs.

Special attention was given to the situation in Afghanistan, which plays a key role in ensuring regional stability in Central Asia.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed conviction in the necessity of maintaining dialogue with Kabul in the interest of collective security and economic development of the region.

He acknowledged that differences in approaches to relations with the current authorities in Afghanistan are well known, but more countries are coming to understand the necessity of such dialogue.

In light of these challenges, it was proposed to resume the work of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group.

Additionally, upon Mirziyoyev’s initiative, the heads of SCO member states approved the Action Plan on Ensuring International Information Security and adopted a Statement on the Principles of Good Neighborliness, Trust, and Partnership.