BEIJING, JUN 15 (DNA) – The national flags of newly admitted Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) States Pakistan and India – were raised at the SCO Headquarters here on Thursday.

Secretary General, SCO, Rashid Alimov, Pakistan Ambassador to China, Khalid Masood, Indian Ambassador to China, Vijay Gokhale, ambassadors of the Observer States, representative of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, senior diplomats and officials were present.

In his welcome address, the SCO Secretary General said, this day 16 years ago, at the crossroads of two millennia, the SCO appeared on the political map of the world.

He said, neighborliness and unity of development goals these simple and clear principles of interstate relations enshrined in the Charter have become the fundamental foundation of a new type of Organization and have transformed the SCO into a real factor of international life.

Rashid Alimov said, in Astana, Kazakhstan, the leaders of the founding states of the SCO made a historic decision to accept Pakistan and India as full-fledged members of the Organization.

“Today, on the Day of the SCO, we gathered at the headquarters of the Organization for the solemn ceremony of raising the national flags of Pakistan and India”, he added.

He said from now on, the state flags of the eight-member states of the Organization, united by the “Shanghai spirit”, will be fluttering around the emerald-blue flag of the SCO.

Rashid Alimov said, the SCO has the right to be proud of its achievements, but no country or organization can solve the acute problems of our time alone. When the world continues to face new challenges and threats, the SCO stands firmly for uniting efforts against all forces of evil, for peace and stability, development and prosperity.

“On the way to building a better and brighter future for each and
everyone the Charter of the SCO and the Charter of the United Nations will serve as our guiding star,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Masood Khalid said, today’s flag-raising ceremony symbolizes the start of a new journey for Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Masood Khalid said, today’s flag-raising ceremony symbolizes the start of a new journey for Pakistan.

This is a moment of fulfillment, of accomplishment, and of success, he said, adding, “It will remind us in future that it was on this day that we had pledged together to work for a shared vision of common development.”

He said, with SCO members, we share deep historical and cultural ties, as well as strong economic linkages.

The Ambassador pledged to uphold the Shanghai Spirit and the SCO Charter, promote regional peace and stability and further develop people to people contacts and cultural interaction.

“We will leave no stone unturned in the attainment of greater good of our people through cooperation and understanding as SCO family,” he added.

Expressing special thanks to the founding six countries for having
afforded to Pakistan their support in attaining SCO’s membership, he thanked the SCO Secretary General and his team for their assistance and support that they extended during the membership process.