Putin suggests establishing contact group on Afghanistan

Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that the foreign ministries of the SCO member states (Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan) resolve the issue of creating a contact group "SCO - Afghanistan," the Russian President said at an extended format session of the SCO summit in Taskhent.

The Russian President believes the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has a considerable potential to make a contribution to the resolution of Afghanistan's problems, including the creation of external anti-drug security belts.

Putin said that Afghan President Hamid Karzai's participation in the session is important.

"The dramatic situation in Afghanistan was one of the stimuli of SCO establishment," the Russian President said.

"Now the situation is changing, formation of new political institutions and power structures is underway. However, the social-economic sphere still has a lot of urgent problems," Putin said.

"All members of the SCO are interested in peace and order restored and economic revival started on Afghan soil," said the Russian President.