Use of force to solve Iran issue unacceptable: SCO

BEIJING - Any attempts to resolve the Iranian issue by force are unacceptable, said the heads of state of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Thursday.

Such attempts will produce unpredictable and serious consequences threatening stability and security of the region and even the world, said the leaders in the Declaration on Building a Region with Lasting Peace and Common Prosperity.

The declaration was adopted at the end of the SCO Beijing summit on Thursday.

The SCO currently has six full members -- China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Iran is one of its observer states.

In the declaration, the SCO leaders express "deep concern over the developments surrounding Iran" and "call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid remarks or actions which might further escalate confrontation."

"All countries should abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as the basic norms governing international relations," the SCO leaders agreed, adding that they "stand for strict implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions."

The member states support the P5+1 and Iran in opening sustainable dialogue process and efforts to find a political and diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and talks between relevant parties, says the declaration.

The declaration also says that the member states expect Iran "to play an important role in maintaining peace and prosperity" as a responsible member of the international community.

Iran currently was in nuclear talks with the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany, known as P5+1.

The next round of talks between Iran and the six countries is scheduled to be held in Moscow from June 18-19.