Putin: Instability in Middle East and North Africa is behind the spread of terrorism in the world

Russian President Vladimir Putin has affirmed that the continuous dangerous instability in the Middle East and North Africa besides armed conflicts in Libya and Yemen and the remnant terrorist groups in Syria are behind the spread of terrorist threat all over the world.

He said during a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit on Tuesday that transferring terrorists from one region to another will fuel the ongoing conflicts in the world.

 The Russian president also welcomed the statement on the need to avoid politicizing the coronavirus situation that Chinese leader Xi Jinping made during  (SCO) summit.

According to Putin, Xi Jinping touched upon several “very important points,” “including the need to avoid politicizing issues related to the coronavirus situation, particularly the role of vaccines, which undoubtedly should play an important role in overcoming the crisis.”

The Russian leader also supported Xi Jinping’s statement concerning the safety of digital data. “In this regard, we will support China’s initiative, as well as the idea to hold a digital economy forum in China,” Putin said, expressing hope that other SCO member states would be willing to participate in the event.

“Undoubtedly, there are no good and bad civilizations. That said, it is important for us to pool our efforts in the humanitarian field so that integration and interpenetration will create conditions for everyone to enjoy the blessings of every civilization for the sake of common harmonious development,” Putin emphasized.

Moreover, the Russian president stressed that his country will do its utmost to help enhance national reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Russia is hosting an online meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Leaders of the SCO’s Council of Heads of State will discuss measures to strengthen cooperation, including in the context of the global political and socioeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release.

“They will focus on ways to promote the SCO member states’ practical interaction in politics, security, trade and the economy, cultural and humanitarian ties, as well as political dialogue, above all in the interests of stability in the SCO space,” read the statement.

“They will also discuss the enhancement of their countries’ trade and economic collaboration and coordination at the main international venues.”

Formed in April 1996, the SCO is a political, economic, and security bloc comprising eight members – China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan.

SCO member states account for around 42% of the world’s population, 22% of the land area, and around 20% of global GDP.

Basma Qaddour