TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 22 (APP): President Mamnoon
Hussain was accorded warm welcome on his arrival at the Uzbek
capital on Wednesday to attend the 16th heads of state meeting
of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyav received
the President as he arrived at the Tashkent One Airport.
Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and
Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry accompanied the President.
A contingent of armed forces presented salute to the
President. Young girls attired in traditional Uzbek costumes
presented bouquets to the President.
President Mamnoon Hussain and the Uzbek Prime Minister
also held a meeting before leaving the airport lounge and
exchanged views on bilateral matters. The two sides also
discussed the significance of the SCO summit which will grant
full membership to Pakistan.
Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdul Aziz Kamalov, Uzbek
Ambassador to Pakistan Furqat Sidiqov and Pakistan’s
Ambassador Riaz H. Bukhari were present.
The President earlier made a stopover in Samarkand
where he visited the mausoleums of Imam Bukhari and
Amir Temur.
During his stay in Tashkent, the President besides
attending the SCO summit will hold sideline meetings with
Chinese president Xi Jinping, Uzbek President Islam Karimov
and Tajiksitan’s President Emomali Rahmon.
In accordance with the summit agenda, the Heads of State
will discuss the issues of further deepening multifaceted and
mutually beneficial cooperation within the frameworks of the
SCO, as well as exchange views on regional and international
issues.
Pakistan became the observer state of SCO in 2005 and
was the first country to apply for full membership in 2010.
