Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 13 May 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov took part in the session of the Council of the Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the format of video conference.

The Heads of Foreign Ministries of India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as the SCO Secretary General and Director of the Executive Committee of the Regional anti-terrorist structure discussed cooperation in the context of the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

An exchange of views took place on the urgent tasks of counteracting the effects of coronavirus and mitigating its impact on the socio-economic development of the SCO countries, the Foreign Ministry said.

The importance of coordinating the efforts of member states of the organization to develop and implement the necessary measures to combat the pandemic was emphasized.

The parties noted the need to further improve cooperation in the field of health care and to intensify the work of existing SCO mechanisms in this area.

Particular attention was paid to issues of trade and economic interaction against the backdrop of major changes in the global economy after the pandemic.

The meeting separately considered issues of assistance in establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan, restoring the country's economy and developing its social infrastructure.

The participants of the event also exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II and noted the contribution of valiant warriors and home front workers in saving the world from fascism.

In this context, Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov informed the participants about the progress in implementing a special program to widely celebrate this significant date in Uzbekistan.

Following the meeting, the Statement of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the SCO member states on the spread of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was adopted.