Opening the event, director of institute Mr. Naumkin said Uzbekistan is strategic partner of Russia and chairmanship of Uzbekistan in the SCO is directed to providing stimulus for developing of the organization.

Charge d’affaires of Uzbekistan in Russia Mr. Hamraev briefed the participants on priorities of Uzbekistan during its presidency in the SCO. He said Uzbekistan will work on improving its efficiency and developing international contacts, as well as strengthening legal base, Jahon news agency reported.

Participants noted balanced and concrete approach of Uzbekistan to the SCO presidency. Russian experts underlined balanced foreign policy of Uzbekistan, which firmly defends its national interests within multilateral and bilateral cooperation.

Sergey Luzyanin, deputy director of Middle East Institute of the Russian Science Academy, said presidency of Uzbekistan gives additional political and intellectual resources to the SCO. He said, firstly this will allow to develop external policies in detail, including combating drug trafficking, terrorism, trans-boundary crime and other challenges.

He added that Uzbekistan presidency can diversify interest of the SCO member states and direct opportunities of each member to correct direction. For example, China has great investment opportunities, which can be directed to the SCO projects. Russia has experience in energy transportation and fighting terrorism.