Conclusion of the SCO summit: cohesion in turbulent times

Stick together – and protect the respective geopolitical interests of all members: That was the main message at the end of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The host, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, spoke of the principles of the spirit of Samarkand when he presented the joint declaration at the concluding, extended plenary session: “Your goals are to involve everyone in global dialogue who care about our common future and who ready to seek coordinated procedures and solutions despite the disagreements.”

Cohesion in turbulent times – that was the main message of the 22nd summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). In the large final round, each of the 14 heads of state and government who had attended had their say. The protection of the respective geopolitical interests was one of the main topics.

Chinese leaders Xi Jinping called on the SCO community to show mutual solidarity and restraint: “It is important to prevent attempts by external forces to provoke a color revolution and to resist interference in other countries’ internal affairs together.”

Putin and Xi close ranks

Yesterday, Xi and Vladimir Putin publicly demonstrated what this could look like in practice. The Russian President condemned any interference in the Taiwan region – and at the same time thanked China for its “balanced position in the Ukraine crisis”.

At today’s plenary session, Putin not only once again criticized the sanctions imposed on Russia: he also underlined that they would prevent Russia from taking an active part in solving world problems.

And he called, among other things, for the UN to enter into a dialogue with the European Union: “The day before yesterday I informed Mr Guterres that 300,000 tons of Russian fertilizers have accumulated in the seaports of the European Union. We are ready to ship them free of charge in developing countries. In addition, I would like to note that Russia is increasing grain exports to world markets.”

Praise to Turkey as a trading partner

But not only the Russian grain exports were discussed at the summit. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again announced his willingness to mediate in the export of Ukrainian grain – because the existing agreement only runs until the end of October. “We conduct very productive cooperation with interested parties and the UN to ensure the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. We strive to ensure that Ukrainian grain reaches our brothers and sisters – especially in Africa and especially those who urgently need it,” said Erdogan.

Moscow had previously criticized that Ukrainian grain would not reach the countries most affected by hunger. Erdogan agreed – and the EU disagreed. The previously announced bilateral talks between the Russian and Turkish presidents only took place after the conclusion of the summit. Putin thanked Turkey for mediating the grain deal and praised Turkey as one of his most reliable trading partners.