• The 2024 SCO Summit shows a dynamic and growing organization
  • India was the only country represented by the foreign minister, not the head of state
  • A new security architecture in Eurasia
  • Replacement of the US dollar in international trade transactions

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation | Дворец мира и согласия in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, hosted the meeting of state leaders of the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This building completed in 2006 has a height of 62 meters and is pyramidal in shape. It was conceived first and foremost as a universal spiritual center, open to all religions. It is indeed symbolic that this summit of Eurasian countries is taking place in a building designed to host events for the promotion of peace and reconciliation.

Currently, the SCO brings together 9 participating states: Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, India and Iran; 2 observer states (Afghanistan, Mongolia) and 14 dialogue partners: Azerbaijan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Armenia, Egypt, Cambodia, Qatar, Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka). Belarus was received this year as the 10th member and will participate as such in next year’s summit. Armenia was not represented and just these days Prime Minister Pashinyan said that he is eager to expand strategic cooperation with the US.

The theme of the summit was “Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue – Striving for Peace and Sustainable Development”. At the end of the discussions, the leaders of the member states signed the “Astana 2024 Declaration”. President Vladimir Putin said in connection with this document that he “underlines the commitment of SCO members to form a fair multipolar world order based on the central role of the UN, international law and the aspiration of sovereign states for a mutually beneficial partnership.”

The problem of the dollar and de-dollarization

Tehran has declared itself in favor of the total exclusion of the U.S. dollar from the trade transactions of the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO/CSO), said acting Iranian President Mohammad Mokhber.

The issue of using national currencies and increasing their share in mutual trade agreements between participating countries has been seriously put on the agenda of the organization. The Islamic Republic of Iran supports the continuation of the negotiations of the special working groups until the final goal is reached, namely to reduce the use or even exclude the dollar from trade between countries.

MOHAMMAD MOKHBER

Infrastructure and transport corridors

Work on the development of East-West and North-South transport corridors is an important area of cooperation between Azerbaijan and SCO member states. Its geographical location and significant investments in infrastructure have allowed Azerbaijan to become one of the transport and logistics hubs of Eurasia. (…) the annual capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, part of the Middle Corridor, has increased from 1 million to 5 million tons. In addition, Azerbaijan plans to increase the annual throughput capacity of the Alyat International Maritime Trade Port from 15 million to 25 million tons per year.

ILHAM ALIYEV

Infrastructure is a key area of cooperation between SCO Member States. It should be noted that the Azerbaijani leader mentioned the “Middle Corridor”. This is a route intensively promoted by the European Union and the United States of America, as an alternative to crossing the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The link between Central Asia and Europe will thus be possible through states that are friendly to the international system promoted by the West.

The problem of Israel

In his speech at the SCO, President Erdogan highlighted the collapse of the global order amid a lack of interest in stopping Israel’s actions in Gaza, writes the Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah.

Turkey is not a member state, but it is a very active dialogue partner. The Turkish leader added that “the pillars of the current rules-based international system are shaking against the backdrop of multiple challenges.”

Erdogan presented himself as a very strong and determined anti-Israel voice: “The rubble that has buried more than 16,000 innocent children is actually what is left of the international system that has lost its legitimacy. Israel should be stopped and forced to accept a permanent ceasefire. To achieve this, more pressure is needed on Israel.”

The leader of Pakistan said that “Israel is involved in genocide against the Palestinians.”

Sovereignty, territorial integrity and terrorism

These three topics are at the core of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, but it is important that the issue of territorial integrity was raised by India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. He represented India in place of Prime Minister Modi. The fact that Modi did not choose to come in person indicates a certain distance from the organization.

Regarding territorial integrity, it is a message sent to China but also to Russia. We must understand that India is not entirely part of the “true” multipolar world, but is trying to develop cooperation of any kind with Western states and the US, but aware of the need to maintain at least cordial relations with neighboring countries and those in the region.

Broadly speaking, Jaishankar attacked China and Pakistan for not respecting India’s territorial integrity, and attacked Russia for not respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Regarding terrorism, it is important to note that India maintains close ties with Israel even in this very turbulent period. Muslim countries have adopted strong messages against Israel, but India has chosen to address the subject of terrorism and has attacked countries that harbor terrorism, demanding that they be “isolated”. Of course, terrorism was unanimously condemned, but in the case of the Indians it is something more important.

For New Delhi, one of the countries harboring terrorists is Pakistan, as several Indian officials have made clear over the years. But it could also be a reference to Yemen. In the context of the conflict between Israel and Iran, we could consider that, taking into account the declared rapprochement between India and Israel, the Islamic Republic of Iran was also targeted by the Indian minister, especially for the fact that it financially and militarily supports the groups in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, hostile to Israel.

Bilateral meetings

Most of the bilateral meetings were scheduled for July 3. Below is a brief summary of them, without presenting all of them.

China and Azerbaijan signed a “Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China” on July 3, which thus becomes the basis for a future expansion of cooperation between the two.

Presidents Putin and Xi Jinping met as leaders of the pillar countries of the SCO and the transition to multipolarity.

We have repeatedly stated that Russia-China relations, our comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, are going through the best period in their history. We are guided by the principles of equality, mutual benefit and respect for each other’s sovereignty. Our cooperation is not directed against anyone. We do not create blocs or alliances; We are simply acting in the interests of our peoples. (…) Russian-Chinese cooperation in global affairs serves as the main factor of stability on the international stage.

VLADIMIR PUTIN

Today, the agreements we have reached are being implemented effectively and our comprehensive cooperation is progressing according to plan. Facing an international situation full of turbulence and change, the two countries should continue to uphold the original aspiration of lasting friendship and stick to the determination to benefit the people, enhance the unique value of China-Russia relations, cultivate new engines of cooperation, and make tireless efforts to protect legitimate rights and interests and safeguard the basic norms governing international relations.

XI JINPING

President Putin’s meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif, is particularly important because it demonstrates the consistent steps of rapprochement between the two countries.

Mr President, I am very happy to share with you that our bilateral relations have been on a positive trajectory over the past many years. This is an aspect of great comfort for us and I would like to work closely with you to further strengthen our relationships. (…) At my request you have been very kind to promote cooperation in the field of energy, and we have already received a shipment of oil from your great country, and I am very grateful for that. We absolutely have to go further in this direction.

SHAHBAZ SHARIF

Vladimir Putin said that Russia is determined to increase dialogue with Pakistan on food security. In this regard, increasing grain exports to the Pakistani market is a priority.

Pakistan and Belarus reaffirm their desire to strengthen trade and economic ties. A wide range of other topics, including political relations, investment, military cooperation and regional issues were addressed by the two leaders.

Erdogan had a trilateral meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

It was stated that Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan are linked to each other by historical-religious roots and friendly relations. There are currently three tripartite formats between these countries, at the level of parliamentarians, foreign ministers and heads of state.

Pakistan’s participation in the “Middle Corridor” was also mentioned and the fact that “it will contribute to the promotion of economic and trade relations between our countries,” Ilham Aliyev said.

During the meeting, cooperation issues in the fields of defense and the arms industry were addressed. It was proposed to conduct joint exercises by the armed forces of the three countries on a regular basis, and the topic of organizing joint arms production was also emphasized.

The Turkish Presidency’s Communications Department said Erdogan and the Emir of Qatar discussed bilateral relations, Israel’s attacks on Palestine, the Israeli threat against Lebanon and other regional and international issues. Erdogan stressed the danger of Israel’s aggression spreading throughout the region and urged the international community, especially the Islamic world, to take action to stop Israel. Erdogan stressed the importance of increased efforts to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ensure a steady flow of aid.

On July 3, President Vladimir Putin also met with President Erdogan. The Russian leader said that their countries’ bilateral relations continue to advance despite international challenges.

All our major projects are progressing according to schedule. There are no delays. I would like to point out that last year the flow of Russian tourists to Turkiye reached a record of 6.3 million. (…) We are very glad that new projects are planned, as well as that I have the opportunity to meet with you today, review the results of last year’s work and outline the prospects for the near future in a private conversation.

VLADIMIR PUTIN

Erdogan and Xi Jinping saw each other for the first time in two years.

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