Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers Council meeting held in Tashkent on July 28.

The ministers positively assessed the current state of Russia-China relations which continue to expand dynamically amid the challenging geopolitical situation. They focused on moving forward on the agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders and discussed a number of practical bilateral cooperation issues.

The ministers exchanged views on key aspects of the SCO’s activities, as well as its prospects going forward, including matters of modernising the association and improving its standing in the international arena. They emphasised the SCO’s leading role in building the regional security architecture and noted the SCO’s significant and constructive influence in maintaining peace and stability and ensuring economic progress in Eurasia. The ministers had an in-depth discussion on preparations for the upcoming SCO Heads of State Council meeting.

They reviewed a number of pressing items on the regional and international agendas, including integration processes in Central Asia and the developments in Afghanistan. The parties exchanged assessments of the current state of affairs in Ukraine and related developments.

The ministers reiterated their willingness to step up interaction and coordination within the multilateral formats involving the two countries.

The discussion was held in a traditionally trust-based and constructive manner.