SCO calls on all parties to exercise restraint, prevent further escalation of tension in the Middle East

SCO Secretary-General meets with Iranian Ambassador to China. 

At the request of the Iranian side, the SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov met with Iranian Ambassador to China Mohammad Keshavarz Zadeh on 7 January 2020, according to the news released by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretariat.

The Ambassador of Iran informed the Secretary-General about the developments of the situation in the Middle East, which tends to deteriorate peace and stability in the region. Mohammad Keshavarz Zadeh handed a copy of the letter of Iran's Permanent Representative to the UN addressed to the UN Secretary-General.

Responding to Ambassador Keshavarz Zadeh, the SCO Secretary-General said," Iran is an important Observer country of the SCO. The issues of ensuring peaceful coexistence, stability and security in the Middle East are extremely relevant and significant for SCO."

"The current situation will no doubt further exacerbate the already tense environment in the region and may lead to serious negative consequences for the global security system," He said, "We express concern over the ongoing developments in the region and call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint in seeking the most optimal political and diplomatic solution to this conflict, as well as to prevent further escalation of tension in the Middle East."

"SCO is against any use of force in international relations. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is a fundamental principle of the UN Charter. SCO has consistently stressed the need for strong commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, resolution of all issues on the basis of mutual consultations, non-interference in internal affairs, mutual respect for territorial integrity, non-use of military force or threat of force and other universally recognized norms of international law aimed at maintaining peace and security," the SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov added.