SCO plays positive role in stabilizing situation in Afghanistan: Afghan expert

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is expected to actively assist Afghanistan in achieving peace, stability and development, since most of its members neighbour Afghanistan and have a good understanding of this country. This is what an Afghan political analyst.

“First, over 90% of the Afghan people live below the poverty line. The SCO can help the Afghan people by providing humanitarian aid. Secondly, economic cooperation is crucial,” Jalal Bazwan, lecturer at Cardan University in Kabul, told Xinhua before the 23rd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State on July 4.

Afghanistan is an agrarian country that still relies on traditional agricultural tools. The expert suggested that China, as a leader in this field, could support Afghanistan with seeds, machinery and agricultural training.

Speaking about the potential benefits of trade and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and the SCO member states, Jalal Bazvan said that economic integration, investment and trade can help Afghanistan rehabilitate its infrastructure, whereas foreign direct investment will create jobs for the Afghan people.

Emphasizing China's important role in helping to solve the Afghan problem, Jalal Bazwan said that the recently published China's foreign policy towards Afghanistan is the best expression of opinion. He was referring to China's Position on the Afghan Issue document published in April. In this document, China supported moderate and prudent governance, as well as maintaining peace and ensuring reconstruction of Afghanistan. Security and stability in Afghanistan are in the interests of all SCO member states. Jalal Bazvan believes that the SCO can help Afghanistan transform from a landlocked country into a transit state, thereby strengthening its connectivity and regional integration.