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Cooperation
aimed at bolstering peace and security
June 12, 2010
| In accordance with traditions of Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO), a member state presides at the
Organization each year.
Following the last year’s summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, the
chairmanship in SCO switched to the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Traditionally, the presiding nation arranges for summit of the
Organization on its territory. |
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During its chairmanship in 2004, Uzbekistan gathered SCO member states,
observer nations and honorary guests for the first time in Tashkent.
Today, the capital of our country is host to the summit again.
This time around, the meeting of Council of the Heads of State of
Shanghai Cooperation Organization has been organized June 10 at Kuksaroy
complex.
SCO summit started with a meeting in a restricted format. It has been
attended by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov,
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, President
of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao, President of the Russian
Federation Dmitry Medvedev, President of the Republic of Tajikistan
Emomali Rahmon, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyz Republic
Ruslan Kazakbayev.
During the talks, the sides discussed issues related to perfecting the
SCO’s work as a whole and of its bodies in particular, boosting
cooperation in political, trade and economic, and humanitarian spheres
between member states of the Organization, consolidating regional
security and stability, joining efforts in countering terrorism,
religious extremism and separatism, drugs and arms smuggling,
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the situation in
Afghanistan.
The standing of any international institution is defined by the
efficiency of its activities and the attention granted to it by the
international community. In a relatively short period of time, the SCO
has turned into a reputable international structure. On June 15, 2001,
the heads of six nations inked the Declaration on the Establishment of
SCO in the Chinese city of Shanghai.
The summit participants agreed then to set up two permanent bodies of
SCO – the Secretariat and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
The founding document of the Organization – the Charter – was approved
June 7, 2002, in St. Petersburg, Russia. The institution thus acquired
an international legal status. The major goals and objectives are
identified as bolstering mutual confidence and good neighborly relations
among participating countries, fostering closer practical interaction in
political, trade and economic, scientific-technical, cultural and
humanitarian areas, ensuring peace, security and stability in the
region.
Since the inception of SCO, a number of nations have expressed their
desire to join the Organization. Today, India, Iran, Mongolia and
Pakistan are observer states.
In order to enhance the scope of the Organization’s activities, Banking
Association, Business Council and SCO Forum were instituted during
2005-2006. The Banking Association serves to support regional economic
cooperation, fund joint projects. The volume of attracted investments
for various projects has so far totaled 742 million US dollars.
The Business Council is designed to coordinate action directed at
addressing economic cooperation through establishing and maintaining
direct contacts between entrepreneurial communities and financial
institutions of SCO member countries. As a non-governmental body, thus,
the Council brings together business leaders of member states. Along
with priority spheres as energy, transport and telecommunications,
banking and finance sector, the Council enriches its work with social
content by engaging itself in science and technology, education and
public healthcare, facilitating innovative know-how in agriculture.
SCO Forum, as a sort of consulting and expertise mechanism, integrates
scientific research and political academic institutions with a view to
primarily support SCO’s activities from methodical and strategic
perspectives. Within this group, academic communities of SCO member
nations arrange mutual consultations, negotiations, conferences and
other similar forums on diverse topics in politics, economy, security,
social and environmental protection.
In their interrelations, SCO member states abide by the “Shanghai
Spirit”. The phrase implies a strict adherence to principles and rules
of consensus in decision making, mutual confidence and commitment,
equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity, common
aspiration to progress.
At the current meeting of the Council of Heads of State, activities of
the Republic of Uzbekistan during its presidency in SCO received a
tremendous positive appraisal. Over this period of time, Uzbekistan has
placed a particular emphasis at developing the SCO’s international
contacts, perfecting the normative and regulatory frameworks,
elaborating and implementing initiatives to bolster security and
consolidate stability, by adhering to principles, objectives and tasks
outlined in the Charter of the Organization.
In particular, the President of Uzbekistan put forward a number of
proposals aimed at improving the decision making mechanisms within the
SCO framework and activities of its constituent bodies. Signed in
Tashkent, the Joint Declaration on Cooperation between the Secretariats
of the United Nations and SCO will facilitate the development of
constructive interaction between the UN Counterterrorism Committee and
SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.
Today, barely any problem can be addressed with the efforts of a single
nation. In particular, issues of providing for security and
environmental protection require coordinated action at least on the
regional level. In this context, building cooperation between SCO and
the UN opens up extensive opportunities for joint solution of problems
important to both sides. Such bodies of the UN as the Economic and
Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Counter Narcotics
and Crime Committee, Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in Central
Asia have already been interacting with SCO. The approved Joint
Declaration will serve to further widen the scope and enhance the
capacities of this cooperation.
Currently, a plan of SCO’s interaction with partner organizations is
approved, which, building on signed memoranda of understanding, is
called to make further steps in expanding cooperation between the
Organization and such authoritative international institutions as
UNESCAP, ASEAN, CIS, EurAsEC, CSTO.
Uzbekistan attaches critical importance to executing the action plan for
implementation of the program for multilateral trade and economic
cooperation through 2020. In particular, advancing transport
communications has been granted priority policy status in SCO. Given the
magnitude of a soonest completion of reconstructing the E-40
international highway for all member states, Uzbekistan has fully met
its commitments to complete work on its own territory.
In addition, our republic is building a free industrial and economic
zone (FIEZ) in Navoi, a central part of the E-40. Doubtless, as long as
new joint projects are implemented in Central Asia to increase
production and construction of roads, the significance of FIEZ Navoi for
SCO countries will rise. Members of the Organization can take active
part in the development of this zone.
During the negotiations at Kuksaroy, the sides underscored the
importance of cooperation not merely in the production and processing of
raw materials, but also in high-tech, elaboration and realization of
joint investment projects in production of goods with high added value
with an eye to contemporary realities. Problems associated with
employment, sustainable economic growth and, crucially, consolidating
social stability throughout the region, could be addressed through these
measures.
The heads of state and government also exchanged views on priority areas
of a multilateral strategy for cooperation within SCO, weathering the
impact and preventing devastating effects of the global financial and
economic slowdown, as well as the pressing issues of enhancing relations
in economic and social spheres.
At the meeting of heads of state in an enlarged format, these issues
have been put under a wider review, when dealing, in particular, with
further intensification of a multi-faceted and mutually beneficial
cooperation within SCO, as well as on modern-day regional and
international issues.
Along with leaders of member nations, the meeting has been attended
by heads of observer countries, namely Mongolia’s President Tsakhiagiin
Elbegdorj, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali
Zardari, foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Manuchehr
Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of India Shri S.M.
Krishna, while President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid
Karzai and the Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov were invited
to the summit as honorary guests.
The meeting has also been attended by SCO Secretary General Muratbek
Imanaliyev, Executive Director of RATS Jenisbek Jumanbekov, UN Under
Secretary General Jan Kubis, Chairman of CIS Executive Committee Sergei
Lebedev, CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha, Deputy Secretary
General of EurAsEC M.Musataev, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN
S.Sisovong.
Worth mentioning is the fact that, along with observer countries, the
SCO unites half the population of the Earth. This increases its capacity
to carry out its core trade, namely, advancing economic cooperation and
boosting regional security. During the talks with representatives of
observer nations and honorary guests, these two priorities have
principally been reiterated, as the underlying purpose of the
Organization is to promote cooperation and common progress through
ensuring security.
The development of large-scale economic, financial and investment
cooperation amid the global financial and economic crisis helps
primarily to depreciate the unwelcome impact and prevent harmful
consequences of the recession. In harmony with this, a basis for overall
economic progress is built.
Obviously, bilateral relations between the members and observers of the
Organization are set up at some level and vigorously developing, while
scarcely leveling the magnitude of multilateral relations. Put into
operation in 2009, the “Central Asia – China” pipeline has been a
creditable example of regional cooperation. Also on the basis of
multilateral cooperation, trans-Afghan transport corridor is being
constructed, opening the way for Central Asian countries to the Indian
Ocean’s ports.
With the initiative of President Islam Karimov, the leader of
Afghanistan was invited to attend the first SCO summit in Tashkent in
2004. Since that time, Hamid Karzai has been engaged in every summit
meeting of the Organization. As long as one of the core activities of
SCO – the issue of amplifying security – is discussed, the conflict in
Afghanistan cannot be ignored. Consequently, the participation of the
Afghan President in these discussions makes it possible to deeper
analyze problems; discuss the issues of socio-economic reconstruction in
detail.
The summit provided a platform to exchange views on the situation in
Kyrgyz Republic, during which participants expressed willingness and
support to render necessary assistance to that country. “The critical
thing, – said Islam Karimov – is to find solutions in the legal field
and to prevent further escalation of tension.”
During the meeting, heads of state comprehensively exchanged views on
security issues, in particular, information security, the joint
counteraction of information threats.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has also been invited to the
summit not accidentally. Working together in matters of enhancing
regional security and cooperation has been more than appropriate. In
this context, communications systems, infrastructure, transit potential
of Turkmenistan provides a useful resource for SCO countries.
The leaders also discussed issues of interaction and information
exchange between financial institutions, banks, stock exchanges. In
order to bolster regional cooperation, the sides exchanged views on
removing obstacles to the development of trade and economic relations,
wider support and promotion of direct contacts between business
entities. Enlargement of investment cooperation in transport and
communications, agriculture, high-tech are identified as priority areas.
Following the talks, the Declaration of the Meeting of the Council of
Heads of SCO Member States has been signed. So have Decision on
Approving the Regulations on Admission of New Members to SCO, Decision
on Approving the SCO Rules of Procedure, Decision on Approving the SCO
Secretary General’s Report on the Activities during the past year,
Decision on Approving the Report of the Council of SCO RATS on the
Activities in 2009. Information statement on the results of the meeting
of the Council of Heads of SCO Member States has been penned. Following
the meeting, agreements signed among governments of SCO member states on
cooperation in agriculture and fighting crime.
At the meeting with media representatives, President of Uzbekistan Islam
Karimov noted that the meeting took place in the spirit of mutual
confidence and respect, working attitude, and that the reached
agreements would serve the interests of member nations and observers
countries. Reviewing the activity of SCO for the entire period of its
existence, the President of our state emphasized that the open and
non-bloc nature of the Organization has been cementing that excludes
confrontational approach to addressing hot issues of regional and
international development.
“We have comprehensively discussed issues related overall consolidation
of multi-faceted and mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as
pressing regional and international matters,” Islam Karimov put.
“Participants of the meeting have agreed that in the period between the
summits in Yekaterinburg and Tashkent, a major substantive work has been
carried out, including fostering the legal framework for the
Organization’s functioning, raising its efficiency and systematization
of its activities. Thus under the chairmanship of Uzbekistan, we have
managed to secure the Joint Declaration on Cooperation between the
Secretariats of the UN and SCO during UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s
visit to this country in April 2010. I am convinced that the adoption of
this document will actively engage the UN podium to address the tasks
defined by SCO, including the joint promotion of its member states’
interests”.
Secretary General of SCO Muratbek Imanaliyev conveyed his sincere
gratitude to the people and the leadership of the Republic of Uzbekistan
for hosting the summit at the highest level, stressing on behalf of all
participants that the occasion has been productive.
“Documents penned today constitute a new step forward in advancing the
SCO, in elevating its international weight. Tasks identified during
Uzbekistan presidency have been accomplished,” Muratbek Imanaliev
declared.
This completed the work SCO summit in Tashkent. Beyond any doubt, it
will make a special page in the history of the Organization as a summit
during which critical agreements were reached on uplifting the SCO’s
efficiency, bolstering regional cooperation and security.
www.uza.uz
President Islam
Karimov holds bilateral talks June 12, 2010
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met at Kuksaroy
complex June 11 with President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif
Ali Zardari, attending the summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
in Tashkent as head of an observer state.
Today, the prolific Uzbek-Pakistani cooperation is developing in the
spirit of contemporary international environment. Bilateral documents in
various areas signed during summits, have been yielding tangible
outcomes. In this context, trade and economic interactions between the
two countries have been rather extensive, and the volume of mutual trade
increased from 23 million US dollars in 2008 to 34 million in 2009.
In recent years, cultural and humanitarian relations have enhanced
between the two nations. In this sense, quite telling are the scientific
and practical conferences and other cultural events held in Pakistan in
2008 dedicated to the lives and creativities of Alisher Navoi, Abu Ali
ibn Sino, Zahiriddin Bobur and Muhammad Iqbol.
During the meeting at Kuksaroy, the sides noted that active interaction
in settling the conflict in Afghanistan remains predominantly
significant as both Uzbekistan and Pakistan have a direct interest in
building peace and socio-economic reconstruction in Afghanistan.
Tashkent and Islamabad have similar approaches to issues related to
counteracting contemporary threats to regional and international
security.
Asif Ali Zardari expressed sincere gratitude to the leader of our nation
for the invitation to attend the SCO summit. According to him, Pakistan
considers Uzbekistan an important partner in promoting economic
cooperation with Central Asian states and coordinated action in security
matters.
* * *
As part of the Tashkent summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with President
of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, at Kuksaroy complex on
June 11.
The Uzbek leader stressed the sustainable nature of mutual interaction –
in the spirit of the Treaty of Eternal Friendship signed in 2000 – in an
ample range of issues in regional cooperation, including those
concerning the settlement of conflict in the neighboring Afghanistan.
Trade and economic cooperation between the two countries has been
steadily growing, and an Uzbek-Tajik intergovernmental commission is set
up to encourage sturdy development of mutually beneficial relations.
Also, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan actively interact in the framework of
Shanghai Cooperation Organization. During the meeting the two leaders
discussed raising the capacities of the Organization in addressing the
tasks assigned to this institution, and improve mechanisms for cementing
regional security and stability.
During the meeting, Emomali Rahmon expressed sincere gratitude to the
head of our state for the warm welcome and the highest level of
organization of SCO summit. The leader of Tajikistan stressed the
timeliness and effectiveness of Uzbekistan’s constructive initiatives to
uplift SCO’s international prestige during its chairmanship.
* * *
On the sidelines of the summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization in
Tashkent, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met on
June 11 at Kuksaroy complex with Shri S.M. Krishna, Minister of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of India, a representative of observer state.
Head of our state remarked that given the historical and cultural
closeness of the two peoples, the relations between Uzbekistan and India
have been consistently progressing.
Today, the Uzbek-Indian interaction is based on principles of mutually
beneficial cooperation in various fields. Close and constructive
contacts are built between the two countries at the highest level.
Beginning from August 1997, consultations between foreign ministries are
held regularly, the latest round of which took place in New Delhi on
August 1, 2008. The global financial and economic downturn
notwithstanding, economic cooperation between our nations has been
developing steadily.
Acquiring a new sense in the context of globalization, cooperation in
humanitarian sphere has been gathering momentum, in the spirit of the
Agreement on Cooperation in Cultural Area penned in 1994. Thus, about
1,000 Uzbek specialists have since 1993 been trained in India in such
areas as information technology, small business, banking, and other
fields.
The two nations support one another in the international arena,
augmenting cooperation within regional and international institutions.
During the meeting at Kuksaroy, Shri S.M. Krishna expressed his earnest
gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan for the warm welcome and
emphasized India’s interest in the further enlarging the mutually
beneficial cooperation with our nation.
www.uza.uz
President of
Turkmenistan arrived in Uzbekistan
June 11, 2010
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov arrived in
Uzbekistan on 11 June for participation as a guest in the session of the
Council of heads of states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,
hosted by Tashkent.
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed the high guest
at the Tashkent airport.
The SCO summit will be held under the chairmanship of the President of
Uzbekistan. The leaders are expected to consider issues of further
development of SCO, improvement of activity of its bodies, political,
economic and humanitarian cooperation of member states, strengthening
SCO’s ties with international and regional organizations, as well as
problems related to security and other issues.
www.uza.uz
President of
Afghanistan arrives in Tashkent
June 10, 2010
President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai
arrived in Uzbekistan on 10 June for participation as observer in the
session of the Council of heads of states of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization, hosted by Tashkent.
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed the high guest
at the Tashkent airport.
The SCO summit will be held under the chairmanship of the President of
Uzbekistan. The leaders are expected to consider issues of further
development of SCO, improvement of activity of its bodies, political,
economic and humanitarian cooperation of member states, strengthening
SCO’s ties with international and regional organizations, as well as
problems related to security and other issues.
www.uza.uz
President of Russia arrives in Tashkent
June 10, 2010
President of Russian Federation Dmitriy Medvedev arrived in Uzbekistan
on 10 June for participation in the session of the Council of heads of
states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, hosted by Tashkent.
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed the high guest
at the Tashkent airport.
The SCO summit will be held under the chairmanship of the President of
Uzbekistan. The leaders are expected to consider issues of further
development of SCO, improvement of activity of its bodies, political,
economic and humanitarian cooperation of member states, strengthening
SCO’s ties with international and regional organizations, as well as
problems related to security and other issues.
www.uza.uz
President of
Pakistan arrives in Tashkent
June 10, 2010
President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari arrived
in Uzbekistan on 10 June for participation as observer in the session of
the Council of heads of states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,
hosted by Tashkent.
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed the high guest
at the Tashkent airport.
The SCO summit will be held under the chairmanship of the President of
Uzbekistan. The leaders are expected to consider issues of further
development of SCO, improvement of activity of its bodies, political,
economic and humanitarian cooperation of member states, strengthening
SCO’s ties with international and regional organizations, as well as
problems related to security and other issues.
www.uza.uz
President of
Kazakhstan arrives in Tashkent
June 10, 2010
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev arrived in
Uzbekistan on 10 June for participation in the session of the Council of
heads of states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, hosted by
Tashkent.
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed the high guest
at the Tashkent airport.
The SCO summit will be held under the chairmanship of the President of
Uzbekistan. The leaders are expected to consider issues of further
development of SCO, improvement of activity of its bodies, political,
economic and humanitarian cooperation of member states, strengthening
SCO’s ties with international and regional organizations, as well as
problems related to security and other issues.
www.uza.uz
President of
Tajikistan arrives in Tashkent
June 10, 2010
President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon arrived in
Uzbekistan on 10 June for participation in the session of the Council of
heads of states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, hosted by
Tashkent.
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed the high guest
at the Tashkent airport.
The SCO summit will be held under the chairmanship of the President of
Uzbekistan.
The leaders will consider issues of further development of SCO,
improvement of activity of its bodies, political, economic and
humanitarian cooperation of member states, strengthening SCO’s ties with
international and regional organizations, as well as problems related to
security and other issues.
www.uza.uz
Uzbekistan-China: Toward enhancing cooperation
June 10, 2010
At the invitation of President of the Republic of
Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, President of the People’s Republic of
China Hu Jintao arrived June 9 in Tashkent on state visit.
Relations shaped between the two nations are historically
deep-rooted, dating back to more than a thousand years and thriving
most during the era of the Great Silk Road.
The mutual cultural appeal and trade relations between
Maveraunnahr and the Celestial Empire were indisputably critical in
disseminating the culture of tea, cotton, silk, paper and other
products that have since enjoyed incomparable demand worldwide. |
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The particular attention paid to the viewpoint of the People’s Republic
of China (PRC) in addressing international issues, speaks for a high
political standing of the country, a permanent member of UN Security
Council. The dynamic growth of its gross domestic product, and the fact
that it is among the top ten economies in the world in terms of foreign
trade and export volumes, lays bare China’s economic power.
In the twenty-first century, relations between Uzbekistan and the PRC
have been vibrant in all aspects meeting the realities and requirements
of our times. Today they comprise political cooperation in the
international arena, joint efforts in countering terrorism, religious
extremism and separatism, mutually beneficial interaction in trade,
economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
Official welcoming ceremony of Chinese President has been hosted at
Kuksaroy June 9. The guard of honor lined up for the distinguished
guest. Then Islam Karimov and Hu Jintao rose to the podium, followed by
state anthems of Uzbekistan and China being played flamboyantly. The two
leaders reviewed the guard of honor.
During the presidents’ one-to-one meeting, the sides exchanged views on
a wide range of issues related to advancing the Uzbek-Chinese relations,
as well as regional and international topics of common interest.
Mutual confidence and political cooperation have been consolidated, with
partnership in trade, economic and humanitarian spheres expanding. The
two nations support one another in the international arena in promoting
their vital interests by augmenting cooperation in the framework of the
United Nations (UN), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and other
international institutions. The two sides join their efforts in boosting
regional security.
President Karimov said Uzbekistan highly appreciates its cooperation
with China, based on mutual trust, respect and interest in deepening
comprehensive interaction. As the head of nation stressed, our country
supports enhancement of its interaction with China in all areas in the
spirit of the Interstate Agreement on Partnership Relations of
Friendship and Cooperation signed in 2005. Our republic is principally
interested in expanding cooperation in energy, transportation, trade,
telecommunications and other industries.
Hu Jintao maintained that China considers Uzbekistan as a time-tested
friend and important partner. President of the PRC expressed his
country’s willingness to carry on with the rewarding cooperation with
our republic in implementing the arrangements of strategic nature
reached during summits.
The Chinese leader highly praised Uzbekistan’s activity as chair nation
of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and noted in particular that the
Joint Declaration on Cooperation between the Secretariats of the UN and
SCO signed in Tashkent this April was a momentous event.
Presidents of Uzbekistan and China continued negotiations in a broader
format with the participation of official delegations. Amid global
financial and economic downturn, issues of curtailing its impact and
preventing its devastating effects become central to intergovernmental
cooperation. In order to address concerns in this area, the two
countries have focused on expanding interaction in trade, economic,
investment and financial spheres.
In this regard, joint projects in the financial sector have included
interest-free and long-term soft loans provided by the government and
Export-Import Bank of China. Owing to the Chinese credit line assigned
for SCO member states, around 20 infrastructure projects worth over 600
million US dollars have been developed in Uzbekistan. The sum total of
implemented projects in our country through soft loans from China has
amounted to 127 million US dollars, while the volume of those in
progress reaches 547 million dollars.
Investment cooperation has also been enlarging. In this direction,
interaction is dynamically growing in the oil and gas, mining and other
industries. For instance, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)
has had exploration work in the Aral Sea, Ustyurt, Bukhara-Khiva and
Ferghana investment blocks.
In recent years, Uzbekistan and China have stepped up economic
cooperation. While the volume of bilateral trade amounted to 1.2 billion
US dollars in 2008, the figure exceeded 2 billion in 2009.
The agreements reached within the framework of investment cooperation
include attracting investments from China worth 2 billion US dollars.
Nonetheless, these indicators hardly correspond to the potential of
cooperation between the two nations. Enormous opportunities for
productive interaction provide transportation, logistics, construction,
telecommunications, high-tech sectors. In particular, our countries can
utilize the vast resources inherent in the free industrial zone in Navoi.
During the talks, the sides exchanged views on intensifying relations in
cultural and humanitarian sphere, in the travel industry in particular.
Set up in 1998, Uzbekistan-China Friendship Society has proved vigorous
in advancing humanitarian cooperation, while the Chinese government – on
a bilateral basis as well as within the SCO –provided scholarships for
forty Uzbek students for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Following the negotiations, the heads of state signed the Joint
Declaration on Comprehensive Expansion and Development of Partnership
Relations of Friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of
Uzbekistan and the People’s Republic of China. Governments of the two
countries inked a number of agreements on cooperation in energy and
high-tech areas, the one concerning accreditation, as well as the one
related to opening a credit line to support small and private
entrepreneurship.
At the meeting with media representatives, Islam Karimov and Hu Jintao
stressed that a trustful, friendly and businesslike atmosphere
characterized the talks. Leaders of the two countries expressed
confidence that the agreements reached will serve to enhance
Uzbek-Chinese relations and improve the welfare of the two peoples.
State visit of President of the People’s Republic of China to Uzbekistan
continues.
www.uza.uz
Tashkent to
host 10th SCO heads of states summit
June 09, 2010
 |
The 10th session of the Council of heads of states
of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will be held in Tashkent on
11 June.
On the invitation of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, who
is chairing the SCO, the heads of states and delegations of SCO
member and observer countries will take part in the summit.
Presidents of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan will attend the session
as guests. Representatives of international organizations SCO has
partnership ties with, including the UN, CIS, ASEAN, SCTO and
EurAsEC, will also be present. |
The summit participants will exchange opinions on a range of regional
and international problems.
Among the issues on the agenda are deepening multilateral cooperation
within the SCO, strengthening understanding, stability and security in
the world and stable development of countries and regions.
Signing of a number of important documents is expected during the
summit, including the Declaration of heads of SCO member states, the
Regulations on the order of adoption of new members to the organization
and the Rules of SCO procedure.
www.uza.uz
President of
Mongolia arrives in Tashkent
June 09, 2010
President of Mongolia Tsakhia Elbegdorj arrived in Uzbekistan on 9 June
for participation as observer in the session of the Council of heads of
states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, hosted by Tashkent.
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed the high guest
at the Tashkent airport.
The SCO summit will be held under the chairmanship of the President of
Uzbekistan. The leaders are expected to consider issues of further
development of SCO, improvement of activity of its bodies, political,
economic and humanitarian cooperation of member states, strengthening
SCO’s ties with international and regional organizations, as well as
problems related to security and other issues.
www.uza.uz
China’s
President Hu Jintao arrives in Tashkent
June 09, 2010
President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao arrived in
Tashkent on a state visit on 9 June on the invitation of the President
of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed the high guest
at the Tashkent airport.
During the visit, Islam Karimov and Hu Jintao will consider issues of
further development of Uzbek-Chinese relations, as well as regional and
international problems of mutual interest.
Signing of a number of documents aimed at further development of
bilateral cooperation in various areas is expected.
President of China will participate in the session of the Council of
heads of states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization that will take
place in Tashkent.
www.uza.uz
Joint Efforts to Expand
Cooperation June 07, 2010
Enhancing and deepening of interaction within Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) are the basic interests of China and Uzbekistan,
China’s Foreign Minister says.
As previously reported, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s
Republic of China Yang Jiechi visited Tashkent to attend a meeting of
the Council of Foreign Ministers of SCO member states.
During his visit, the Foreign Minister shared his impressions of state
and prospects of the cooperation between Uzbekistan and China.
Regarding areas where there is still untapped potential among the
countries Yang noted: “Basing on the existing cooperation foundation, we
could further expand our cooperation in addressing a number of global
challenges, including effects of the global financial crisis, problems
global climate change and etc.
Uzbekistan and China plays an important role in addressing international
and regional issues. We are interested in further enhancing and
maintaining the dynamics of very intensive contacts between our
countries at the highest level. This will undoubtedly contribute to
further strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between our
nations.
The economies of our countries have great potential; I believe that in
the future we must strive to strengthen cooperation in non-primary
sector. So, in my opinion, there is a promising cooperation in high and
new technology. We also have a large untapped potential in areas such as
chemical industry, engineering, telecommunications and agriculture”.
Commending Uzbekistan’s efforts in the framework of its presidency in
the SCO, Jiechi said: “Uzbekistan during its SCO presidency has made a
substantial contribution to development cooperation within the
Organization's security, economy, and expand cultural exchange.
Our countries are based on the fact that joint efforts to achieve
success, expanding and deepening cooperation within the SCO framework,
not only in the interests of ensuring peace, stability in the region,
but also in the fundamental national interests of China and Uzbekistan.
In this regard, both sides attach a great importance to enhance
cooperation within the SCO framework in various directions. Close
contacts have been maintained between SCO national coordinators of our
countries, as well as relevant departments of foreign ministries of two
states.
The Chinese side will make every effort to assist in the successful
conduct of the forthcoming SCO Summit in Tashkent”.
The Chinese minister also expressed his vision on solving the Afghan
problem. According to Jiechi, “China, Uzbekistan and our other partners
in the SCO have a common understanding regarding the security of the
Eurasian region. As the Afghan problem, of course, is a complex issue
and a final solution to the problem must be in hands of the Afghan
government and the Afghan people. The international
community’s assistance and support is very important. In this regard, we
are working closely with Uzbekistan and other partners in order to make
significant contribution to political stability, economic development,
social progress and better living standards in Afghanistan. We believe
that it serves the fundamental interests of the Afghan people, as well
as neighboring countries and the international community”.
www.ut.uz
President receives
SCO foreign ministers May 22, 2010
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received
members of the session of the Foreign Ministers Council of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states at Oqsaroy residence
on May 22.
The current meeting of the council sums up all the preparatory work
and defines the documents that would be included in the agenda of
the upcoming SCO summit. Signing of these documents will serve to
further development of the organization, President Islam Karimov
said. |
 |
At the meeting in Oqsaroy, preparation to the SCO Heads of States
Council session, scheduled for 10-11 June in Tashkent, was considered.
Besides, important issues of strengthening regional security were also
discussed.
The President of Uzbekistan drew the attention to the importance of
optimization and improvement of mechanisms of adopting decisions by
various structures of the SCO.
 |
The meeting participants, in their turn, stressed
the importance of the efforts of Uzbekistan in increasing the SCO
authority and expansion of economic cooperation in the region.
The active position of Uzbekistan in defining the SCO development
strategy and on a wide range of modern world policy issues is giving
positive results, the guests said. |
One of the important results of Uzbekistan’s activity during its
chairmanship in the SCO was unanimous adoption of the UN General
Assembly Resolution on cooperation between the UN and the SCO, as well
as signing of a Joint declaration on cooperation between the UN and SCO
secretariats. These documents defined the legal bases and prospects of
the two organizations’ practical interaction.
The heads of the SCO foreign ministries’ delegations sincerely thanked
President of Uzbekistan for warm reception and expressed confidence that
the upcoming SCO summit in Tashkent would be held on the highest level.
www.uza.uz
Tashkent Hosts the Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign
Affairs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member-States
May 23, 2010
REPORT
on the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member-States
On May 22, 2010 Tashkent hosted a meeting of the Council of Foreign
Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member-States.
It was attended by the Secretary of State - Minister of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Kazakhstan K. B. Saudabayev, Minister of Foreign
Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Yang Jiechi, Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic - SCO National Coordinator of
the Kyrgyz Republic T.K. Makeev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Russian Federation S.V. Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Tajikistan Kh. Zarifi and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Uzbekistan V. Norov.
The meeting was also attended by the SCO Secretary-General M.S.Imanaliev
and Director of the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-terrorist
Structure (RATS) SCO D.M.Djumanbekov.
The heads of delegations were received by the President of the Republic
of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.
The meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of SCO
Member-States was chaired by the Uzbek side.
In preparation for the meeting of the Council of Heads of the SCO
Member-States due in Tashkent on June 10-11, 2010, the parties
considered a number of priorities in terms of further expanding
cooperation in the framework of the Organization.
The sides had an exchange of views on important regional and global
issues, the main trends of the world situation development, as well as
on strengthening stability and security in Central Asia, further
strengthening the status of the SCO as an influential international
structure, expanding its contacts with other multilateral organizations.
The heads of delegations expressed their solidarity with the people of
Kyrgyzstan in the current difficult situation. The security and
stability in the SCO space is inseparably linked with security and
stability in each of the Member-States, including in the Kyrgyz
Republic. The SCO Member-States, while standing committed to
independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kyrgyz
Republic, are ready to render it necessary support and assistance.
The heads of delegations stated that for over the period since the
meeting of the Council of Heads of the SCO Member-States on June 15-16,
2009 in Yekaterinburg, it was carried out a significant work to further
strengthen the Organization, expand in its framework the practical
interaction in political, economic and humanitarian spheres, as well as
extend external contacts. The activity of the SCO truly contributes to
addressing social and economic problems, ensuring security and stability
in the region.
The ministers emphasized that strengthening of stability in Central Asia
remains to be the first and foremost task of the SCO Member-States in
the sphere of security. They confirmed the intention to expand
cooperation in such spheres as jointly counteracting terrorism,
separatism and extremism, illicit drug trafficking and transnational
organized crime.
The participants of the meeting expressed serious concern over the
complex situation in Afghanistan, from the territory of which it
continues to emanate the threat of terrorism, drug trafficking and
transnational organized crime. It was stressed that it was impossible to
secure stability in Central Asia without resolving problems related to
Afghanistan.
The Member-States reaffirm the leading role of the UN in coordinating
efforts of the international community in addressing the situation in
Afghanistan. They believe that the Afghan problem cannot be resolved
exceptionally by military means and advocate promotion of the
negotiating process under UN auspices with participation of the Afghans
themselves in the interests of building Afghanistan as a peaceful and
stable state.
It was noted that further deepening of regional economic cooperation and
creation of favorable conditions for trade and investments,
consolidation of practical interaction in the spheres of trade, finance,
energy, transport, communications, agriculture, science and technology
would promote ensuring stability and security in the region.
The approval by ministers of the draft Regulations on admission of new
members to the Organization served as confirmation of openness of the
Organization to other states in the region that undertake to observe the
goals and principles of the SCO Charter and provisions of other
international treaties and instruments adopted in the framework of SCO.
Approval of this document during the meeting of the Council of Heads of
the SCO Member-States in Tashkent will trigger the process of forming a
mechanism to expand the Organization.
The heads of delegations welcomed the signing of the Joint Declaration
on cooperation between the Secretariats of the SCO and the United
Nations (April 5, 2010, Tashkent) initiated by the Republic of
Uzbekistan, which set the basic principles and directions of cooperation
between the two Organizations as they have been defined in the
Resolution A/64/183 of the UN General Assembly of December 18, 2009.
The SCO permanent bodies are recommended to intensify cooperation with
the UN, ASEAN and other international organizations and institutions on
ensuring security and stability, economic, social and humanitarian
development.
The ministers believed that the Procedure rules of the Organization,
which will be approved at the forthcoming SCO Summit in Tashkent, would
contribute to further dynamic development and strengthening of the
Organization, improvement of legal framework of the SCO permanent bodies
and the effectiveness of decisionmaking.
The parties reaffirmed the need to fuller realize the cooperation
potential in various areas in the framework of the Organization with the
SCO observer- states and dialogue partners.
The SCO Secretary-General M.S.Imanaliev presented Report on the work of
the Organization’s Secretariat for over the past year, which was
approved by the heads of delegations.
The meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the SCO
member-states passed in the traditional spirit of friendship and mutual
understanding.
Information Agency “Jahon”
www.jahonnews.uz
Increasing
Effectiveness
May 21, 2010
The round table dedicated to the presidency of Uzbekistan in Shanghai
Cooperation Organization and forthcoming Tashkent summit of SCO was held
in India.
The Indian experts and analytics, the representatives of public and mass
media took part in this event; they were informed on the activity of SCO
and priority directions of presidency of Uzbekistan. In this connection
it was remarked that within the presidency the active steps directed at
further consolidation of fruitful and efficient cooperation among the
member countries of SCO.
As is known, Uzbekistan focuses on further growth of effectiveness of
SCO activity through development of its international contracts and
strengthening of regulatory legal base, strict compliance to the
purposes, tasks and principles of SCO charter, development and
implementation of initiatives concerning the ensuring of safety and
stability in the region.
Indian experts noted that the presidency of Uzbekistan and priority
spheres of cooperation determined by our republic are aimed at the
improvement of activity of the organization.
According to the chairman of the Center of Studies of Russia and Central
Asia, International Researches School at the University of G. Nehru
Anuradha Chenoy, Uzbekistan tries to pay more attention to the
economical cooperation supporting within the frameworks of organization
the extension of trade and economic cooperation of member countries as
well as the development of transport passages, the level of development
of which will influence directly on the activation of cooperation.
The Indian expert Ajay Patnaik drew attention to the currency of the
initiatives of Uzbekistan on development of cooperation of SCO with
other leading international organizations. In this connection he
remarked: “It will permit the organization to play more active role in
global political economical processes as well as in resolution of
current regional and international issues of different sorts including
terrorism, illegal drug turnover, climate changes, overcoming of
consequences of natural disasters etc.”
The Professor of the International Researches School under Jawaharlal
Nehru University Sanjay Kumar Pandey noted that India is quite
interested in active participation in activity of SCO which is one of
the largest international organizations both by the number of population
of member countries and their territory.
www.ut.uz
President Receives SCO Participating States’ Security Council Heads
April 30, 2010
On April 23 this year at the Oksaroy Residence in Tashkent the President
of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization participating states’ security council
secretaries, as well as the SCO Secretary-General M.Imanaliev and
Director of the Tashkent-based Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)
D.Jumanbekov.
President said he was confident of the high level of interaction
achieved in such areas of the SCO activity as elaboration and
implementation of the policy measures in terms of ensuring regional
security on the multilateral basis, in the joint coordination of which
the role of security councils of this respected international
organization’s participating states is very important, according to such
report by the Uzbekistan National News Agency.
Speaking of the increasing authority and significance of the SCO efforts
in the current terms, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has
underscored its growing role in addressing the problems of regional and
global security, counteracting the international terrorism, separatism
and extremism – labeled as the “three evils”, drug trafficking and other
threats and challenges in the strategically important region of Central
Asia.
In 2004 Uzbekistan initiated the notion of holding the meeting of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization participating states’ security council
secretaries. Such idea has then turned into an important mechanism of
elaboration of concerted measures and efforts in terms of providing for
peace and stability in the regional context.
The April 23-meeting at the Oksaroy came on the eve of the SCO
forthcoming summit in Tashkent due on June 10-11 this year. Reasoned by
this fact, the partakers of the Oksaroy meeting considered the prospects
of raising the effectiveness of mechanisms of decisionmaking by various
structures of the Organization.
They have noted a remarkable significance of the constructive exchange
of views in terms of improving interaction of the Organization’s
participating states on many outstanding directions of regional
development, especially, in the context of cooperation with
corresponding counter-terrorism bodies of the United Nations on the
basis of the Joint Declaration signed on April 5 this year in Tashkent
between the SCO and UN Secretariats.
During the Oksaroy meeting in Tashkent the guests have sincerely thanked
the Uzbek Leader for a warm welcome. At the same time, they underscored
a special significance of the efforts being taken on the part of Uzbek
leadership on making the SCO more active in many spheres of regional
cooperation during its chairmanship in the Organization for this year.
www.jahonnews.uz
“Uzbekistan’s Presidency in Shanghai Cooperation Organization:
Challenges and Prospects”
April 23, 2010
The topic of a roundtable held at the Institute of Oriental Studies,
Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) with the participation of leading
Russian experts.
Speaking to the participants of the roundtable the Uzbek side elaborated
on priorities of the SCO Presidency, reminding participants about the
initiatives of the President to improve effectiveness of the
Organization, including development of its international contacts,
strengthen the regulatory framework, etc.
The event’s participants marked a balanced and focused approach of
Uzbekistan to the SCO Presidency.
In this regard, Professor V. Naumkin, Doctor of Historical Sciences,
said that the country was a Russia’s strategic partner. The Chairmanship
of Uzbekistan, the SCO aims to give new impetus to development of the
Organization, implementation of a number of constructive initiatives for
its institutionalization.
Central Asia has always been crucial in the activity of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization.
As President of the Republic of Uzbekistan repeatedly pointed out, the
important priority of our country’s foreign policy is maintenance of
peace and stability in Central Asia and making this region a stable
security zone. In this regard, the priorities of the Organization and
Uzbekistan are the same.
As is known, the main source of security threats in our region is the 30
years lasted war in Afghanistan, where, unfortunately, there is a
tendency to exacerbate tensions and confrontation. And one cannot talk
about security and stability in Central Asia without solving the
problem. For most of the countries, involved in the conflict, it becomes
apparent that military means to resolve the Afghan problem are useless.
Our head of state is convinced that without addressing such critical
issues as rebuilding the war-torn economy, communications and social
infrastructure of Afghanistan, with no involvement of Afghans themselves
in the process, reaching internal consensus and strengthening
authorities positively one cannot change the situation in the country.
In this respect, our country provides an example of constructive
engagement in the reconstruction of the destroyed by years of war the
economy of our southern neighbor. It is through Uzbekistan’s
transportation corridors international relief supplies continuously
delivered to Afghanistan. The Uzbek energy workers each year increase
the electricity supply, the constructors have restored dozens of bridges
and other transportation infrastructure.
PARTICIPANTS’ OPINION:
Gennady Chufrin,
RAS Associate Member, Member of Directorate of the
Institute of World Economy and International Relations of RAS:
- I appreciate the perspectives of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization as very important. Over 9 years of its existence, the
SCO demonstrates the significant progress and is currently a very
important factor not only regional, but also global politics and
economics. It is important that the SCO is actively involving all
its members. Uzbekistan’s Chairmanship gives the opportunity to make
important, meaningful initiatives, aimed at improving the
Organization. Today's roundtable has once again demonstrated that
all issues, occurring in the SCO, must be addressed together. I am
sure we will are on the right track. |
 |
 |
Sergey Luzyanin,
Deputy Director of the Institute for Far Eastern Studies, Professor
of Moscow State Institute of International Relations:
- I believe the Presidency of Uzbekistan in SCO provides additional
political and intellectual resources of the Organization. It allows
more objective and detailed consideration at a high level of
external, in particular, transAfghan threats, including drug
trafficking, terrorism, transnational crime and other challenges.
Today, Uzbekistan as SCO Chair not only precisely highlight key
points, but also as a state, bordering with Afghanistan, clearly
recognizes the value of the SCO both in security and economic
cooperation terms. |
www.ut.uz
SCO
emergency bodies meet in Tashkent
April 21, 2010
The fifth session of the heads of bodies dealing with prevention and
liquidation of emergency situations of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization was held in Tashkent on 21 April.
Representatives of the respective bodies of China, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated in the
meeting.
The participants considered information on the largest emergency
situations in SCO member states over the past year and measures to
prevent similar situations.
They exchanged views on the perspectives of cooperation in preventing
and liquidating emergency situations.
The meeting concluded with signing of a protocol of the fifth session.
www.uza.uz
SCO RATS Council
holds session in Tashkent
April 3, 2010
The 16th session of the Council of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure
of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Tashkent on 2
April. Representatives of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated in the meeting.
The RATS Council condemned the terrorist acts that took place in Moscow
in March, leading to numerous casualties, and called for the further
consolidation of the efforts of SCO member states in fighting with
terrorism.
The complex measures of the SCO member countries to assist Russia in
ensuring safety of events related to celebrations of the 65th
anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45, as well as
Uzbekistan in ensuring security of the SCO summit in Tashkent were
approved.
The participants listened to the reports of the RATS Executive Committee
director D.Djumanbekov on the implementation of the RATS Council
decisions and of the SCO member states’ program of cooperation in
fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism for 2007-2009. The draft
RATS Council report to the SCO Heads of States Council on the RATS
activity in 2009 was approved.
The meeting participants also considered issues of improvement of
cooperation in fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism. They agreed
that the RATS activities were adequate to the modern challenges and
threats in fighting the “three evils”.
To deepen cooperation, the sides agreed to hold regular meetings of
competent bodies to exchange information and to create a group to
coordinate the joint fight with illegal activities of one of the large
international terrorist organizations.
In the framework of the Program of cooperation of SCO member states in
fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism for 2010-2012, the sides
approved the proposal to hold joint anti-terrorist drill in 2010 on the
territory of Russia.
The participants also agreed to hold the next session of the SCO RATS
Council in September in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
www.uza.uz
A United Position
March 19, 2010
Partnership with leading international and regional
organizations is one of central priorities of SCO.
The activity of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),
particularly in countering terrorism, radical extremism, separatism,
drugs trafficking and organized crime has not only regional but also
global significance. In this regard, during the June 2004 Tashkent
SCO summit, the Group turned to international and regional
organizations to proceed with a gradual establishment of partnership
network of multilateral associations. |
 |
A number of countries and international associations, including the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed their readiness
to cooperate with the SCO.
According to experts, there is a prospect for cooperation between SCO
and ASEAN, primarily, due to the fact that these organizations adhere to
common positions on many regional and global issues.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretariats of
the SCO and ASEAN signed in April 2005 in Jakarta, combating terrorism
and transnational crime, drug smuggling and arms trafficking, money
laundering and illegal migration have become cooperation priorities. The
parties also agreed to cooperate in such fields as economy, finance,
energy, especially hydropower and bio-fuel, tourism, environment and
natural resources.
In November 2008, Beijing held a meeting at the level of Secretaries
General of the SCO and ASEAN, in which the mutual intention to maintain
regular contact on the basis of the Memorandum was confirmed.
It should be noted that one of the SCO-ASEAN cooperation’s key areas is
ensuring regional security. As one can know, ASEAN serves as an
effective mechanism for discussing and addressing global challenges and
threats in the Southeast Asia.
In this regard, the experts stressed that the anti-terrorist line that
has become a priority in the activities of SCO has some similarities
with ASEAN’s.
Given that member states of the SCO and ASEAN associate geographical
proximity and common goals in the Asia-Pacific there is a growing
interest in establishing mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields
as economy, transport, culture and tourism.
Enhancing cooperation will promote establishment of investment
cooperation, including information exchange on overcoming the
consequences of global recession, as well as contacts between
representatives of business and the implementation of joint projects.
At present, SCO-ASEAN interaction is carried out through exchange of
information and expertise between the secretariats, consultation of
experts.
www.ut.uz
The Growing Interest
of World Community
March 05, 2010
Initiatives of President Islam Karimov aimed at improving the efficiency
of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during Uzbekistan’s
presidency in the Organization have been reviewed in Turkmenistan.
The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Turkmenistan held a briefing on this
occasion, attended by representatives of political, social and business
circles of Turkmenistan, heads and staff of diplomatic missions and
international organizations, accredited in Ashgabat.
Speakers at the briefing praised Uzbekistan’s efforts to improve
efficiency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Chinese Ambassador to Turkmenistan Wu Hongbin said that SCO is among few
international organizations that has consistently and progressively
gained credibility not only in the region, but in the world. In
particular, he said: “The basis for this positive trend is a unity of
views and approaches of all the members of the Organization towards
tasks that before them. SCO Member States demonstrate a commitment to
deepen and expand cooperation on such key issues as security,
development of trade and economic ties, cultural and humanitarian
cooperation.
The Chinese diplomat expressed his confidence that the Presidency of
Uzbekistan in SCO will further strengthen the Organization. Initiatives,
proposed by the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, will certainly
contribute to the existing potential of SCO and its efficiency.
In this context, according to participants of the briefing, efforts to
further develop transport and communications are of particular
importance. Today Uzbekistan is one of those first completed the project
for reconstruction and building the Trans-Asian highway. The
introduction of this road will create necessary conditions for a
multiple increase of trade and enhance cultural exchanges between SCO
Member States.
According to ambassador of Romania in Turkmenistan Horumbe Liviu Radu,
the Uzbek presidency in SCO should give an important impetus to
development of this influential Organization, importance of which only
grows in the recent years. “The proposals and initiatives put forward by
Uzbekistan are relevant and necessary for further development of SCO in
modern conditions”, - ambassador said.
Counselor for Political Affairs, the United Nations Regional Center for
Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia Arthurs Pupols believes that the
position of Uzbekistan to establish and develop contacts between SCO and
international organizations, in particular, with the UN is a right
approach. “Such an intention is on the whole consistent with modern
realities and is aimed at consolidating efforts to preserve security and
stability not only in the region, but throughout the world. In this
context, the initiative by President Islam Karimov to address the
situation in Afghanistan and ongoing activities of States to assist the
country deserve a special attention,” the diplomat believes.
www.ut.uz
SCO
Secretary-General meets Chinese Foreign Minister
| On 23 December 2009 on the occasion of completing
the mission of SCO Secretary-General Bolat Nurgaliev met with the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Yang
Jiechi.
During the meeting exchange of opinions took place on various
issues, including further development of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation and deepening of friendship and cooperation among its
member states.
www.sectsco.org |
 |
SCO Secretariat holds farewell reception on completion of SCO
Secretary-General’s mission On 23
December 2009 the SCO Secretariat held a farewell reception on the
occasion of completing the duties of the SCO Secretary-General B.
Nurgaliev and his Deputies Gao Yusheng and V. Zakharov. The Deputy
Foreign Minister of China He Yafei, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan I.
Adyrbekov and the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, currently holding SCO
presidency, A. Salakhutdinov were the guests of honour and delivered
statements. Representatives from the embassies of the observer states
and dialogue partners, the diplomatic corps of Beijing, as well as
government institutions and public organisations of the host state
attended the reception.
www.sectsco.org
64th session of UN General Assembly adopts Resolution on cooperation
between UN and SCO On 18 December 2009
introducing a plenary text on cooperation between the United Nations and
the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (A/64/L.34), on behalf of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization, MURAD ASKAROV (Uzbekistan) said the
organization aimed to strengthen trust and friendship among its member
States, encourage efficient cooperation in politics, trade and economy,
and science and technology, among other areas, and consolidate efforts
to maintain peace and security. The Council of Heads, its governing
body, determines priorities and decides on issues of internal
functioning. The Council of National Coordinators coordinates
cooperation between ministries and agencies of member States.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization had enjoyed observer status
with the General Assembly since 2004, he said, and cooperated closely
with the United Nations in most major areas. Prospects for joint work
looked promising in environmental protection, humanitarian issues and
migration. To address common objectives, the relationship between the
two bodies had to be placed on a more systematic basis. That was the
purpose of the draft resolution, which noted that the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization aimed to strengthen peace, security and
stability in the region; counter terrorism and extremism, and promote
regional cooperation in areas like trade and economic development,
energy and transportation.
Further, the draft emphasized the importance of strengthening
dialogue and cooperation between the two bodies, he said, and proposed
that the United Nations Secretary-General hold regular consultations
with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Secretary-General through
existing inter-agency forums and formats. It proposed that United
Nations specialized agencies, programmes and funds cooperate with the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization with a view to implementing programmes
to achieve their goals. He believed the draft text would be adopted by
consensus.
BOLAT NURGALIEV, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization, said consideration of the draft resolution reflected
Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s increasing role in security in the
Asian region. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s activities aimed
to encourage regional cooperation in areas like trade, energy,
transport, agriculture, finance, information and communication
technologies, science, customs, education, healthcare, environmental
protection, and natural disaster risk reduction.
He said Members had made significant contributions to ensuring
post-conflict reconstruction in Afghanistan, efforts which he hoped to
step up, with United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, in the
interest of jointly carrying out projects in those areas. In closing, he
expressed his appreciation to States that supported inclusion of the
item on the Assembly’s agenda.
The Assembly then adopted by consensus the resolution on cooperation
between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(A/64/L.34), by which it emphasized the importance of strengthening
dialogue, cooperation and coordination between the United Nations system
and that organization. Among other things, it proposed that the
Secretary-General hold regular consultations with the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization’s Secretary-General through the existing
inter-agency forums and formats.
www.sectsco.org
Almaty hosts first meeting of finance ministers and heads of central
banks of SCO member states
On 9 December 2009 the first meeting of finance ministers and heads
of central banks of the SCO member states took place in Almaty.
The finance minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan B. Zhamishev, the
finance minister of the People’s Republic of China Xie Xuren, the
finance minister of the Kyrgyz Republic M. Sultanov, the finance
minister and deputy chairman of the government of the Russian Federation
A. Kudrin, the finance minister of the Republic of Tajikistan S.
Nadjmuddinov, the first deputy finance minister of the Republic of
Uzbekistan R. Guliamov, the chairman of the National Bank of the
Republic of Kazakhstan G. Marchenko, the deputy chairman of the People’s
Bank of the People’s Republic of China Ma Delong, the deputy chairman of
the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic Abdybaly tegin Suerkul, the
chairman of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation S. Ignatiev, the
deputy chairman of the National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan D.
Yusupov, the deputy chairman of the Central Bank of the Republic of
Uzbekistan R. Abdukarimov were in attendance.
SCO Secretariat officials as well as representatives of the finance
ministries and central banks of the SCO member states also took part in
the meeting.
In a friendly and constructive spirit the parties exchanged opinions
on the burning issues and prospects for cooperation among the SCO member
states in the financial field.
Upon conclusion of the meeting the parties adopted a joint statement.
www.sectsco.org
SCO Secretary-General meets Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
On 4 December 2009 the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian
Federation Grigory Karasin met in Moscow with the SCO Secretary-General
B. Nurgaliev.
The talks focused on the new duties B. Nurgaliev would perform from 1
January 2010 in the capacity of a Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office on the Conflict.
Exchange of opinions took place on the process of settling the
conflicts in Transdniester and Mountainous Karabakh, as well as on the
situation in Southern Caucasus and the relevant role of the OSCE.
www.sectsco.org
Senior officials from counternarcotics agencies of SCO member states
meet in Beijing
24-26 November 2009 the SCO Secretariat hosted a meeting of senior
officials from the counternarcotics agencies of the SCO member states
chaired by the Uzbek side.
The meeting became a fresh step towards creation of an SCO mechanism
of practical cooperation in the field of fighting against drug
trafficking in compliance with the relevant decision of the SCO Heads of
State Council.
The parties focused on fulfillment of the decisions of the Meeting of
Heads of Counternarcotics Agencies of the SCO Member States held in
Moscow in May 2009.
The parties discussed the state and prospects for counternarcotics
cooperation of the SCO member states, and unanimously noted that at
present the SCO possessed a great potential for enhancing the
effectiveness of interaction in this field. Work on the draft
Counternarcotics Strategy of the SCO Member States for 2010-2015 was
continued.
The parties debated organisational issues concerning the launch of
SCO expert working groups responsible for improvement of the legal base
for counternarcotics cooperation, law enforcement activity and fight
against drug-related crime, precursor control and drug demand reduction.
www.sectsco.org
SCO Secretary-General participates in 3rd Eurasian Economic Forum in
Xi’an On 6-17
November 2009 Xi’an hosted the third Eurasian Economic Forum co-organised
by the SCO Secretariat, the Ministry of Commerce of China, the General
Customs Administration of China, the State Development Bank of China,
China National Petroleum Corporation, the Export-Import Bank of China,
the EurAsEC Secretariat, the UNDP, China Council for the Promotion of
International Trade, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of
China and the People’s Government of the city of Xi’an.
A delegation from the SCO Secretariat headed by the SCO
Secretary-General Bolat Nurgaliev participated in the Forum.
Around 1200 government officials, businesspeople and experts from
more than 20 countries, including the SCO member states, as well as
Iran, Mongolia, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, Sri-Lanka, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belgium, Nepal and a number of international and regional
organisations, were in attendance.
The Deputy Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping made
a welcoming address in which he noted that in recent years the SCO
member states had shown impressive achievements in ensuring stability,
economic revival and choosing a path of development consistent with
their national realities. The Chinese leader stressed that in conditions
of the current global economic crisis only by taking stronger joint
efforts could we overcome it and find new opportunities for development.
The SCO Secretary-General delivered a statement at the plenary
session of the Forum that focused on SCO activity in the economic field.
He later made a presentation during a meeting of heads of customs
departments from Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan and Mongolia held on the sidelines of the Forum (for more go
to “Speeches”).
The Forum held sessions on a variety of cooperation areas such as
customs, energy, finance, education, and staged presentations of
investment potential and projects initiated by different countries.
Discussions took place in a spirit of pragmatism, a number of
constructive ideas and initiatives were generated.
The statements of forum participants clearly showed a common
understanding of the priority tasks facing the region’s nations, such as
ensuring a secure and stable development as the key precondition for
economic prosperity, raising people’s standard of living, further
deepening of integration processes.
www.sectsco.org
TRANSPORT MINISTERS OF SCO MEMBER STATES GATHER IN BEIJING
On 10 November 2009 Beijing hosted the fourth
Meeting of the Ministers of Transport of the Member States of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Ministers of transport or their
representatives from Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were in attendance.
Ministers of transport and representatives of transport ministries
from the SCO observer states – India, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, as
well as a specially invited representative of Afghanistan
participated in the Meeting. |
 |
Officials from the SCO Secretariat, the UN Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the Asian Development Bank, the SCO
Business Council and Interbank Consortium also attended the Meeting.
The Meeting was chaired by the Chinese Minister of Transport Li Shenglin.
On 10 November the Vice Premier of the State Council of the PRC Zhang
Dejian received the heads of delegations.
In a friendly, businesslike and constructive spirit the Ministers
discussed the issues of deepening transport cooperation in the SCO
framework.
The parties noted significant progress in transport cooperation of the
member states which had played a positive role in developing economic
cooperation in the SCO region.
The Ministers positively rated the process of carrying out SCO pilot
projects in the field of transport – the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan
motorway and E-40 route, as well as other important projects of regional
transport cooperation, including the construction of
Tajikistan-Uzbekistan motorway.
The Ministers particularly noted that experts from the SCO member states
with the technical and financial support of UNESCAP and ADB after 8
rounds of negotiations which took 4 years completed in June 2008 the
preparation of a draft framework Agreement among the governments of the
SCO member states on international road transportation facilitation. The
experts were instructed to continue their work on preparing the relevant
Appendices to the draft Agreement.
The parties noted the expediency of formulating a Programme (Main
guidelines) for coordinated development of motorways in the SCO member
states with the aim of strengthening cooperation in the field of
automobile transport.
An agreement was reached to make an assessment of the main barriers in
international road transportation and draw up an action plan on
eliminating the existing barriers.
The Ministers decided to increase cooperation in the SCO framework in
the field of railway and aviation transport and to determine possible
areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Taking into account the model of cooperation between the SCO, UNESCAP
and ADB, the Ministers welcome the intention of the relevant
international financial institutions, international organisations, SCO
Business Council and Interbank Consortium to participate in joint
projects in the field of transport under the SCO auspices.
The parties decided to actively promote transport cooperation with the
SCO observer states and encourage them to get involved in the process of
developing SCO transport cooperation, e.g. concerning the formulation of
programmes of development and construction of transport infrastructure,
as well as to consider their opinions with the aim of assisting joint
development of the transport sector in the SCO member and observer
states.
www.sectsco.org
SCO HEADS OF
GOVERNMENT COUNCIL MEETS IN BEIJING
 |
A regular meeting of the Council of the Heads of
Government of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (hereinafter referred to as the SCO and/or the
Organisation) took place on 14 October 2009 in Beijing.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.K.Masimov, the
Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Wen
Jiabao, the Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic I.V.Chudinov, the
Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation V.V.Putin, |
the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan
A.G.Akilov and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan
S.M.Mirziyoev took part.
The Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Wen
Jiabao chaired the meeting.
The SCO Secretary-General B.K.Nurgaliev and the Director of the
Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure
M.U.Subanov were in attendance.
Representatives of the SCO observer states – the Minister for Petroleum
and Natural Gas of the Republic of India M.Deora, the First Vice
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran M.R.Rahimi, the Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Trade of Mongolia S.Batbold and the Prime Minister
of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Y.R.Gilani as well as the Vice
President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan K.Khalili as the guest
of the host state were in attendance and delivered statements.
The Chairman of the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao received the
heads of delegations of the member states.
In a friendly and constructive spirit the heads of government considered
the current international political and economic environment, assessed
existing opportunities and challenges. A comprehensive discussion was
held on the ways of deepening practical cooperation in various fields,
as well as of jointly confronting the global financial economic crisis.
After the exchange of opinions mutual understanding was reached on a
wide range of issues.
1. The heads of government noted with satisfaction that since the
previous meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government of the SCO
Member States (CHG) in Astana (30 October 2008) cooperation among the
member states of the Organisation in political, economic and cultural
fields was characterised by steady progress; friendship, good-neighbourly
relationship, mutual trust and multifaceted interaction continued to
develop.
Under the current global and regional situation, in order to ensure
steady development of the SCO and promotion of common interests of the
member states, the parties underlined the importance of consecutive
implementation of the Treaty on long-term good-neighbourliness,
friendship and cooperation among the member states of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation signed on 16 August 2007 and the agreements of
Yekaterinburg summit (15-16 June 2009).
2. The heads of government noted that the SCO member states had
been taking effective measures to ensure the stability of their national
economies. Safeguarding them against emerging threats and risks, as well
as strengthening economic cooperation in the SCO framework, including
promotion of regional economic development and implementation of the
Action Plan on Fulfillment of the Programme of Multilateral Trade and
Economic Cooperation among the SCO Member States, is a vital task aimed
to effectively confront the global financial economic crisis.
A timely step is the adoption during this CHG meeting of the Joint
Initiative on increasing multilateral economic cooperation in the field
of tackling the consequences of the global financial economic crisis and
ensuring further economic development of the SCO member states.
Exchanges among the business communities of the member states are meant
to play a growing role in boosting trade, economic and investment
cooperation in the SCO framework. The parties highly rated the outcome
of the Trade and Industry Forum held in Beijing on the sidelines of the
CHG meeting.
3. The parties acknowledged the need to increase financial
cooperation in the framework of the Organisation. In accordance with the
agreements of Yekaterinburg summit the financial departments will
increase sharing of information on the issues of tackling the
consequences of the global financial economic crisis. The parties will
study a possibility of holding a meeting of finance ministers and heads
of central banks.
The relevant institutions of the SCO member states jointly with the
Council of National Coordinators were instructed to expedite agreeing of
the Main Principles of Formation and Management of the SCO Special
Account.
4. The heads of government emphasised the role of the SCO
Business Council and Interbank Consortium as an important platform for
SCO economic and financial cooperation and in generating proposals
concerning implementation of promising joint regional projects.
5. The heads of government instructed the relevant ministries and
departments to take the necessary measures for more effective use of the
existing transit potential of the SCO member states, further improvement
of the transport infrastructure, strengthening the legal base for
transport cooperation.
6. The heads of government spoke for the earliest possible launch
of the projects "SCO information superhighway" and "Establishment of
electronic transnational interaction with the use of electronic digital
signature".
7. Underlining the importance of establishing agricultural
cooperation in the framework of the Organisation, the heads of
government gave a task to speed up preparations for the first meeting of
ministers of agriculture and consideration of the draft Agreement among
the governments of the SCO member states on cooperation in this field.
8. The heads of government reaffirmed that in current conditions
science and technology cooperation is contributing to enhancing the
capability of the SCO member states in confronting global challenges and
threats. In this regard there is special significance for agreed
measures to draft and carry out joint science and technology programmes
and projects in the priority areas of common interest such as science,
technology and innovation development of the SCO member states. The
first meeting of heads of science and technology ministries and
departments of the SCO member states is meant to play an important role
in forming common approaches.
9. The heads of government spoke for further deepening of customs
cooperation, simplification of trading procedures, raising the traffic
capacity and effectiveness of border posts, optimisation of border
facilities with the aim of promoting regional trade and economic
cooperation.
10. The parties acknowledged the need to enhance cooperation in
the field of application of standards, metrology, technical regulations,
conformity evaluation, check and control procedures, coordination and
settlement of the issues of ensuring the safety and quality of goods in
regional trade, facilitation of the growth of commodity turnover.
11. The heads of government noted the need to take agreed
measures for joint counteraction against threats of natural and manmade
disasters with the aim of enhancing emergency response capability.
12. Positively rating the achievements of cooperation in the
social and cultural fields, the heads of government stand up for further
strengthening and improvement of its mechanisms. The parties also
acknowledged the expediency of continuing the practice of holding
regular forums of university rectors and education weeks of the SCO
member states.
13. Cooperation in the field of healthcare, establishing
partnership ties among the relevant medical institutions of the SCO
member states, taking stronger joint preventive measures to fight
against infectious diseases is acquiring great importance. In this
regard the parties noted the significance of the Joint Statement on
fighting against infectious diseases in the SCO region adopted during
this CHG meeting.
14. Stating the steady progress in practical cooperation between
the SCO member and observer states, the heads of government welcome
participation of the observer states and dialogue partners in economic
and cultural cooperation in the framework of the Organisation with the
aim of promoting common development and prosperity in the region.
15. The heads of government approved the Report of the SCO
Secretariat on the process of fulfilling the Programme of Multilateral
Trade and Economic Cooperation among the SCO Member States.
The parties also considered a series of issues concerning the financial
and organisational activity of the SCO permanent bodies, and approved
the budget of the Organisation for 2010.
During the meeting plenipotentiary representatives of the SCO member
states signed the Protocol among the customs departments of the SCO
member states on cooperation in the field of training and raising the
professional skills of customs officers.
The heads of government highly appreciated the organisation and staging
of the SCO CHG meeting and expressed gratitude to the Chinese side for
its hospitality.
The next meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (Prime
Ministers) of the SCO Member States will be held in 2010 in the Kyrgyz
Republic.
www.sectsco.org
SCO
Council of National Coordinators meets in Beijing
| 9-12 October 2009 the SCO Secretariat hosted a
meeting of the Council of National Coordinators of the SCO Member
States which discussed the issues of preparing for the SCO Heads of
Government (Prime Ministers) Council meeting due on 14 October in
Beijing.
The parties agreed the agenda of the HGC meeting as well as draft
decisions and documents to be signed by the Prime Ministers.
|
 |
During the meeting exchange of views took place on a wide range of
issues concerning the current and future activity of the Organisation.
www.sectsco.org
Council of National Coordinators of SCO Member States meets in Tashkent
10-11 September 2009 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan
hosted a meeting of the Council of National Coordinators of the SCO
Member States.
On 11 September the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received the
heads of delegations and the heads of the SCO permanent bodies.
The President laid out his conceptual vision of the prospects for
expanding and deepening multifaceted cooperation in the SCO framework
during Uzbekistan’s chairmanship and in the coming years.
The CNC meeting was chaired by the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan
Vladimir Norov. The SCO Secretary-General Bolat Nurgaliev and the
Director of the SCO RCTS Executive Committee Myrzakan Subanov were in
attendance. The next CNC meeting is scheduled in October 2009 in
Beijing.
www.sectsco.org
President receives
SCO meeting participants September 11, 2009,
UZA
| President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received
General Secretary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the
director of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure executive council
and the participants of the SCO National Coordinators Council
session on 11 September.
During eight years of functioning, the SCO has become an
influential international organization, playing an important role in
forming the regional and global security architecture, Islam Karimov
said at the meeting.
Over this period, a significant work on expansion and
strengthening cooperation in political, economic, social and
humanitarian spheres was carried out, and steps to implement the
most urgent goals and tasks the organization is facing have been
made, he added. |
 |
The President stressed that during Uzbekistan’s chairmanship in the
SCO, one of the structure’s priority activities will be developing
measures to improve its acting mechanisms in accordance with the goals,
tasks and principles of the SCO Charter.
 |
At the meeting, priority directions and concrete
plans of SCO activities for 2009-2010 were considered.
SCO General Secretary Bolat Nurgaliyev highly evaluated the
proposals to increase the efficiency of the organization’s activity.
The participants also noted that the session of the SCO National
Coordinators Council held in Tashkent on 10-11 September was
successful and that they had an open and constructive exchange of
opinions on the SCO development. |
ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
OF UZBEKISTAN ISLAM KARIMOV AT THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF HEADS OF
THE SCO MEMBER-STATES
On June 15-16, 2009 the city of Ekaterinburg of the Russian Federation
hosted the meeting of the Council of heads of the SCO
member-states.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated at
the meeting.
In his address at the delegation-level meeting President of the Republic
of Uzbekistan has positively assessed the activity of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization for over the last period. In particular, he
noted that “a considerable work has been carried out on further widening
and enhancing the fruitful cooperation in political, economic and
social-humanitarian spheres, substantial steps have been taken in
implementing the most important policy tasks and objectives, which stand
before our Organization.
President of Uzbekistan underscored that “with each year the role and
significance of the SCO were seeing their rise in resolving the problems
of regional and global security, counteracting the international
terrorism, separatism and extremism, drug trafficking and other
challenges and threats to security in the strategically important region
of Central Asia”.
President has been quoted as saying “our today’s decision on granting
the partner-status on SCO dialogue to the Republic of Belarus and the
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri-Lanka has become the vivid
demonstration of yet growing authority of the SCO on international
arena, openness of the Organization, its readiness to establish
cooperation with other states.”
Islam Karimov expressed confidence that documents to be signed upon the
outcomes of the summit would become an important stage on the way of
securing the tasks which stand before the SCO.
President Islam Karimov has dwelled on the most important priorities in
the SCO activity, “the implementation of which will allow considerably
increase the efficiency of its activity, consolidate security, provide
for fuller use of the potential of the states of the region”.
In particular, he has underscored that “the war, which has already been
going on for 30 years in Afghanistan, remains to be the main source of
threat to security. And one doesn’t have to speak about security and
stability in the entire Central Asian region without resolving this
problem”.
In this context, President Islam Karimov has said it was impossible to
resolve the Afghan problem with military way. He drew attention of the
participants of the summit that without addressing such acute problems
as reconstruction of economy, communications and social infrastructure
of Afghanistan destroyed by war, without engaging the Afghans in this
process, without providing them with jobs and strengthening the vertical
of power one cannot positively change the situation in the country.
“It is extremely important to show full respect to the deep historical
and ethnic-demographical roots of the multinational people of
Afghanistan, to all confessions, traditional values of the religion of
Islam, and secure on such basis and on the basis of dialogue the
necessary consensus inside Afghanistan,” President Islam Karimov said.
President of Uzbekistan has underscored that the establishment of the
“6+3” Contact Group under UN auspices, comprising the duly authorized
representatives of states bordering Afghanistan, as well as the
representatives of Russia, USA and NATO would serve for the soonest
solution of the Afghan problem and would be an important consultative
and diplomatic body on whose basis it would be possible to secure accord
both inside and around Afghanistan.
Touching upon the aggravation of situation in the wake of the world
financial economic crisis, and the growing problems related to
overcoming it, Islam Karimov spoke for enhancing the coordination of
joint efforts by SCO member-states in the conditions of global financial
and economic crisis.
According to the President, “the state of affairs in the implementation
of regional and national anti-crisis action programs, enormous
expenditures, made for over the last period of continuation and
aggravation of the world crisis, above all, in developed countries, are
far cry from guaranteeing the stabilization of the world financial
market, growth of demand and revival of the economic activity in the
sphere of production.”
In President’s view, “economies of Central Asian countries, which so far
have been playing the role of suppliers of raw and semi-finished
products to the world market, seriously suffer from sharp fall in demand
and prices.”
President Islam Karimov also drew the attention of participants to the
fact that situation is yet more exacerbated by the policy of major
countries on gross protectionism and denying access of goods from
developing countries to their own markets, despite all public assurances
on inadmissibility of such restrictions in trade.
This policy, according to the President, can lead to isolationism,
process of de-globalization of economies and setback in those trends,
which have developed for over the last decades and seriously harm, above
all, the interests of developing countries.
In President’s view, “the most important unsolved issue on the way of
overcoming the crisis is uncertainty of issues and the absence of
mechanisms of control and regulation of financial, currency and stock
markets, while without tackling this issue, the unpredictability of
further behavior of crisis on the world market will persist.”
The President of Uzbekistan has underscored that “in current situation
the issues of qualitative improvement and enhancement economic, above
all, investment component within the SCO, adoption of the necessary
legal documents, eradication of barriers on the way of trade and
economic cooperation and direct ties between the entities of small
business, implementation of projects in fuel and energy sector,
transport and communications, as well as agriculture will acquire an
enormous significance.”
“Further coordination of our efforts in financial and banking sphere on
rendering concrete assistance to countries which acutely need loans and
investments gain critically important meaning,” Islam Karimov has said.
In his remarks President Islam Karimov has also dwelled on the issues of
enhancing the work with observer-states, as well as the dialogue partner
countries with a view to enhancing the interaction and engaging their
enormous potential in the sphere of joint activity within the SCO
framework.
The President stressed that “article 13 of the Charter, while noting the
open character of the SCO, underscores that the Organization is open for
accepting new members which undertake to comply with objectives and
principles of the Charter, as well as provisions of other international
treaties and documents adopted by the SCO. In 2004 the SCO adopted the
Regulations on the status of observer at the SCO.”
Islam Karimov underscored that “the adoption of this institute became an
important link on the way of implementing the goals and tasks faced by
the SCO, promoted the consolidation of the potential of the SCO,
significantly expanded the capabilities of the Organization and
considerably influenced its role and authority in the world community”.
It is expedient for us, following the logics of onward and consistent
steps of the SCO along this path, to accelerate the preparation of
necessary legal documents that define the procedure of accepting
observer countries for a full-fledged membership of the SCO. We all
realize the complexity of this issue. However in any case it must be
consistently solved,” President Islam Karimov has underscored.
In conclusion, Islam Karimov expressed confidence that the outcomes of
the open exchange of opinions on urgent problems and adopted decisions
will come as the next step aimed at maintaining security and sustainable
development of the SCO countries.
JOINT COMMUNIQUE OF MEETING
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE HEADS OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE SHANGHAI
COOPERATION ORGANISATION
A regular meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO CHS) took place on 15 and
16 June 2009 in Yekaterinburg. President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
N.A.Nazarbaev, Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao,
President of the Kyrgyz Republic K.S.Bakiev, President of the Russian
Federation D.A.Medvedev, President of the Republic of Tajikistan
E.Rakhmon, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan I.A.Karimov were in
attendance.
President of the Russian Federation D.A.Medvedev chaired the meeting.
Secretary-General of the SCO B.K.Nurgaliev and Director of the
Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure (RCTS)
M.U.Subanov participated in the meeting.
Heads of delegations from the SCO observer states – Prime Minister of
the Republic of India M.Singh, President of the Islamic Republic of
Iran M.Ahmadinejad, First Vice Premier of the Government of Mongolia
N.Altankhuyag, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan A.Zardari,
as well as guests of the host state – President of the Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan H.Karzai, United Nations
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs L.Pascoe were in
attendance and delivered statements. Chairman of the Executive
Committee – Executive Secretary of the Commonwealth of Independent
States S.N.Lebedev, Secretary-General of the Eurasian Economic
Community T.A.Mansurov, Secretary-General of the Collective Security
Treaty Organisation N.N.Bordyuzha were also in attendance.
For the first time the format of the summit, besides a
restricted-attendance meeting of the heads of the SCO member states
and a plenary session with the participation of the heads of all
delegations, included a separate narrow-format meeting with the
participation of the heads of the member states of the Organisation
and leaders of the observer states.
Exchange of opinions took place on the issues of international and
regional situation. Common approaches of the Organisation members to
building a more just and rational system of interstate relations in
conditions of the crisis of the traditional structures of ensuring
security and financial stability are reflected in Yekaterinburg
Declaration signed by the heads of the SCO member states. The
Declaration also outlines priority areas of joint activity in the
framework of the Organisation.
The heads of state signed the SCO Counter-Terrorism Convention which
cements the legal base for counter-terrorism interaction in the SCO
framework and its potential, cooperation in this field was taken to a
new level.
The approval of the SCO Regulations on Political Diplomatic Measures
and Mechanisms of Response to Events Jeopardising Regional Peace,
Security and Stability will help further enhance a mechanism of
consultations, agree positions and interaction in international
affairs.
Plenipotentiary representatives of the member states of the
Organisation signed the Agreement among the Governments of the SCO
Member States on Cooperation in the Field of Ensuring International
Information Security and the Agreement on Training of Officers for
Counter-Terrorism Agencies of the SCO Member States.
During the meeting in an open and friendly atmosphere main
achievements of the activity of the Organisation in the period
following 2008 Dushanbe summit were considered, immediate and
long-term areas of joint work on the development of multifaceted
cooperation were determined.
It was stated with satisfaction that since the previous meeting
targeted steps had been taken to enhance and streamline the SCO
activity, strengthen the international prestige of the Organisation.
The heads of state approved the report of the SCO Secretary-General on
the work of the Organisation in the past year and the report of the
RCTS Council on the work of the Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure
in 2008.
* * *
The heads of state underlined that in conditions of the global
financial crisis ensuring security and maintaining stability in the
SCO region was assuming paramount significance.
The parties noted the outcome of the Special Conference on Afghanistan
under the SCO auspices (Moscow, 27 March 2009) dedicated to the issues
of joint struggle against terrorism, illicit drug trafficking and
organised crime.
The parties approved the results of the 7th meeting of defence
ministers (Moscow, 29 April 2009), 1st meeting of ministers of
internal affairs and public security (Yekaterinburg, 18 May 2009) and
the 4th meeting of secretaries of security councils (Moscow, 20 May
2009) of the member states of the Organisation.
A task was set to raise the level of coordination of cooperation of
the SCO member states in fighting against terrorism and other threats
in the field of security. The RCTS is to play a central role in this
field.
Proceeding from the outcome of the command staff joint
counter-terrorism exercise of the SCO member states
“Norak-Anti-Terror-2009” held 17-19 April 2009 in the Republic of
Tajikistan, the parties acknowledged the expediency of continuing the
practice of regular staging of joint counter-terrorism drills.
Taking into account the exchange of opinions at the meeting of heads
of counternarcotics agencies of the SCO member states (Moscow, 19 May
2009) an instruction was given to submit to the next meeting of the
SCO CHS agreed proposals concerning mechanisms of counternarcotics
cooperation in the framework of the Organisation.
The parties noted the importance of implementing the Plan of
activities on interaction in providing assistance in emergency events
in the SCO framework for 2009-2010 which was approved at the 4th
meeting of heads of departments of the SCO member states responsible
for prevention and elimination of emergency events (5 June 2009, Aktau,
the Republic of Kazakhstan).
* * *
The heads of state noted with satisfaction the active participation of
the SCO observer states in activities of mutual interest in the SCO
framework.
A decision was taken to grant the status of SCO dialogue partner to
the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of
Belarus.
The Special Expert Group was instructed to continue its work on the
draft document on the order of admitting new members to the SCO.
* * *
The parties stated that the economic component in the SCO activity was
showing significant dynamics, the legal base and organisational
structure of trade and economic cooperation were being improved, the
updated Action Plan on implementation of the Programme of Multilateral
Trade and Economic Cooperation of the SCO Member States approved by
the Heads of Government Council (Astana, 30 October 2008) was being
gradually carried out.
The parties acknowledged the expediency of taking effective measures
aimed to minimise the consequences of the global financial crisis and
encourage a closer regional trade, economic and investment cooperation
in the SCO region.
The SCO Business Council and Interbank Consortium are designed to play
an increasing role in this field and advised to proceed from the need
of more active transition from the mainly bilateral cooperation to the
implementation of multilateral projects.
The parties noted the importance of developing links in the social and
cultural fields in the SCO framework that assists the strengthening of
friendship and mutual understanding among peoples.
* * *
The heads of state highly appreciated the chairmanship of the Russian
Federation at the SCO and expressed gratitude to the Russian side for
its hospitality during Yekaterinburg summit.
The next meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council will be held in
2010 in Tashkent. According to the SCO Charter the duties of a state
holding chairmanship of the Organisation in the coming period are to
be taken over by the Republic of Uzbekistan.
YEKATERINBURG DECLARATION OF THE HEADS OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE
SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION In accordance
with the outcome of the Heads of State Council meeting held on 15 and
16 June 2009 in Yekaterinburg the heads of the member states of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation state the following:
1. Serious changes are taking place in the contemporary international
environment. Aspiration to peace and sustainable development,
promotion of equal cooperation became the spirit of the times. The
tendency towards true multipolarity is irreversible. There is a
growing significance of the regional aspect in settling global
problems.
The SCO member states, reaffirming their commitment to common
development on the basis of the principles and provisions of the
Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Treaty on
Long-Term Good-Neighbourly Relations, Friendship and Cooperation among
the SCO Member States, consider as a priority task maintaining
constructive dialogue and deepening close interaction and partnership
to jointly seek effective ways of resolving global and regional
problems with the use of the growing potential and international
prestige of the SCO.
2. The SCO member states believe that international cooperation is a
basic and efficient instrument for countering new challenges and
threats, coping with the global financial crisis, ensuring energy and
food security and settling such a pressing issue as climate change.
3. The current situation in the global economic and financial sector
points to the need to increase cooperation of the international
community in the field of controlling and managing international
finances, making joint efforts to prevent the growth and spread of
financial crisis risks, maintaining economic stability.
The member states of the Organisation together with the international
community intend to make efforts for the formation of a more just,
equal, all-embracing and well-regulated international financial regime
which takes into account a true balance of interests of all its
participants and gives all States equal access to the advantages of
globalisation.
To that end interaction and sharing of information must be
strengthened as regards the international financial sector and the
issues of tackling the consequences of the global financial crisis in
the SCO region.
4. In current circumstances the SCO member states underline the
growing significance of bolstering trade, economic and investment
cooperation in the framework of the Organisation, including involving
the potential of the observer states and dialogue partners.
The parties noted the need to speed up the implementation of major
projects which are designed to ensure the expansion of transport
communication capabilities of the region and access to world markets,
development of social infrastructure, formation of modern
international centres for logistics, trade and tourism, construction
of new factories, introduction of innovative and energy-saving
technologies, including renewable sources of energy.
The implementation of these projects, arrangement of international
transport corridors, modernisation of railways and motorways will
create preconditions for strengthening the potential of the region as
a transcontinental bridge and giving a new impulse to the development
of economic links between Europe and Asia.
5. The SCO member states, noting the key significance of energy sector
for successful economic development and creation of favourable
preconditions for improving the living standards of their citizens,
express determination to further advance mutually beneficial
cooperation in this field on the basis of equality with the aim of
ensuring effective, reliable and environmentally safe energy supplies.
6. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation proceeds from the need to
further cement the legal foundations of international relations
determined by generally accepted principles and norms of the
international law and international obligations of States.
Strengthening the central and coordinating role of the United Nations
Organisation in world affairs, enhancing the effectiveness of its
mechanisms with the aim of adequately responding to modern challenges,
changing political and economic reality remains an urgent task. The
reform of the UN Security Council must gain as much wider consensus of
members of the international community.
The SCO member states intend to strengthen coordination on the issues
of reforming the UN and its Security Council.
7. The SCO member states stress the significance of the issue of
ensuring international information security as one of the key elements
of the common system of international security.
8. The SCO member states, reaffirming their commitment to a dialogue
of civilisations, values of peace, tolerance, mutual respect and
consent in international and interdenominational relations,
irrespective of ethnic origin, religious and other beliefs, oppose
drawing parallels between the fight against international terrorism
and confrontation against any particular religion.
9. Maintenance of international peace is possible only in conditions
of equal security for all States. The security of some states must not
be achieved to the detriment of the security of others.
Settlement of international and regional conflicts must be conducted
by political diplomatic means on the basis of the principles of
equality and mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs of
sovereign states.
The attempts to achieve unilateral advantages in defence field are
counterproductive as they undermine the strategic balance and
stability in the world, do not benefit confidence building, reduction
of arms and disarmament.
10. The SCO member states note that proliferation of nuclear weapons
poses a serious threat to international peace and security.
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NNPT) is the
basic element of the international regime on the prevention of
proliferation of nuclear weapons. Threats of proliferation of nuclear
weapons can and must be eliminated on the basis of the NNPT provided
that its parties unconditionally fulfill their obligations. The SCO
member states reaffirm their strong support for the NNPT, welcome the
multilateral efforts on its reinforcement, and are determined to move
towards raising the effectiveness of the Treaty on the basis of the
unity of its three key components: non-proliferation, disarmament,
peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The SCO member states reiterate their intention to assist further
implementation of the Russia – U.S. initiative on fighting against
acts of nuclear terrorism, and also welcome the coming into effect on
21 March 2009 of the Treaty on Establishing a Nuclear Free Zone in
Central Asia.
11. The SCO member states welcome the start of Russo-American
negotiations on drafting a Treaty on the Reduction of Offensive
Strategic Arms.
12. The SCO member states stand up for resuming the process of
negotiations on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. They
call to show restraint and continue the search for mutually acceptable
solutions on the basis of the previously reached agreements.
13. The SCO member states express grave concern over the complicated
situation in Afghanistan related to illicit drug trafficking,
terrorism and transnational organised crime which pose a threat to the
whole international community.
In this regard the parties acknowledged the need to increase
interaction with the SCO observer states, Afghanistan and other states
concerned, as well as with regional and international organisations,
first and foremost, the UN and its specialised institutions.
The SCO member states in close interaction with other states and
international organisations concerned intend to establish
anti-narcotic and financial security belts in the region.
14. The SCO member states welcome the end of an internal military
conflict in Sri Lanka, and express hope for establishing a firm peace,
strengthening security and stability in the country on the basis of
ensuring its state sovereignty and territorial integrity, guaranteeing
the rights of all ethnic and religious groups.
15. The SCO member states consider as a priority task enhancing the
effectiveness of interaction in the field of a timely joint response
to natural and manmade emergency events, implementing a set of
measures aimed to diminish their impact on society and economy.
16. The SCO member states attach special importance to strengthening
cooperation in the field of effective counteraction against the threat
of dangerous infections and other infectious diseases. To that end the
parties acknowledged the need to mobilise available resources and
launch joint work on preventing the spread of epidemic diseases.
17. The SCO member countries state that the Organisation has become an
essential element of the fledgling system of security and cooperation
in the Asia Pacific region.
Noting with satisfaction the growing interest of the international
community in establishing ties with the SCO, they welcome the joining
of the Republic of Belarus and the Democratic Socialist Republic of
Sri Lanka to cooperation in the SCO framework as dialogue partners.
The SCO member states stand ready to expand practical interaction with
the United Nations Organisation, Commonwealth of Independent States,
Association of South-East Asian Nations, Eurasian Economic Community,
Collective Security Treaty Organisation, Economic Cooperation
Organisation, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific, other international and regional organisations, and
to create on this basis a wide partnership network.
The SCO member states are open to dialogue aimed to bring States
closer together and facilitate the building of a more just world
order, to cement global stability and economic development.
CHARTER OF
THE SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION
The People's Republic of China, the Republic of
Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic
of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan being the founding states
of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (hereinafter SCO or the
Organization),
Based on historically established ties between their peoples;
Striving for further enhancement of comprehensive cooperation;
Desiring to jointly contribute to the strengthening of peace and
ensuring of security and stability in the region in the environment of
developing political multipolarity and economic and information
globalization;
Being convinced that the establishment of SCO will facilitate more
efficient common use of opening possibilities and counteracting new
challenges and threats;
Considering that interaction within SCO will promote the realization
of a huge potential of goodneighborliness, unity and cooperation
between States and their peoples;
Proceeding from the spirit of mutual trust, mutual advantage,
equality, mutual consultations, respect for cultural variety and
aspiration for joint development that was clearly established at the
meeting of heads of six States in 2001 in Shanghai;
Noting that the compliance with the principles set out in the
Agreement between the People's Republic of China, the Republic of
Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the
Republic of Tajikistan on Strengthening Confidence in the Military
Field in the Border Area of 26 April, 1996, and in the Agreement
between the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Kazakhstan,
the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of
Tajikistan on Mutual Reductions of Armed Forces in the Border Area of
24 April , 1997, as well as in the documents signed at summits of
heads of the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Kazakhstan,
the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of
Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan in the period from 1998 to
2001, has made an important contribution to the maintenance of peace,
security and stability in the region and in the world;
Reaffirming our adherence to the goals and principles of the Charter
of the United Nations, other commonly acknowledged principles and
rules of international law related to the maintenance of international
peace, security and the development of goodneighborly and friendly
relations, as well as the cooperation between States;
Guided by the provisions of the Declaration on the Creation of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization of 15 June, 2001,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1. Goals and Tasks
The main goals and tasks of SCO are:
to strengthen mutual trust, friendship and goodneighborliness between
the member States;
to consolidate multidisciplinary cooperation in the maintenance and
strengthening of peace, security and stability in the region and
promotion of a new democratic, fair and rational political and
economic international order;
to jointly counteract terrorism, separatism and extremism in all their
manifestations, to fight against illicit narcotics and arms
trafficking and other types of criminal activity of a transnational
character, and also illegal migration;
to encourage the efficient regional cooperation in such spheres as
politics, trade and economy, defense, law enforcement, environment
protection, culture, science and technology, education, energy,
transport, credit and finance, and also other spheres of common
interest;
to facilitate comprehensive and balanced economic growth, social and
cultural development in the region through joint action on the basis
of equal partnership for the purpose of a steady increase of living
standards and improvement of living conditions of the peoples of the
member States;
to coordinate approaches to integration into the global economy;
to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with
the international obligations of the member States and their national
legislation;
to maintain and develop relations with other States and international
organizations;
to cooperate in the prevention of international conflicts and in their
peaceful settlement;
to jointly search for solutions to the problems that would arise in
the 21st century.
Article 2.Principles
The member States of SCO shall adhere to the following principles:
mutual respect of sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity of
States and inviolability of State borders, non-aggression,
non-interference in internal affairs, non-use of force or threat of
its use in international relations, seeking no unilateral military
superiority in adjacent areas;
equality of all member States, search of common positions on the basis
of mutual understanding and respect for opinions of each of them;
gradual implementation of joint activities in the spheres of mutual
interest;
peaceful settlement of disputes between the member States;
SCO being not directed against other States and international
organizations;
prevention of any illegitimate acts directed against the SCO
interests;
implementation of obligations arising out of the present Charter and
other documents adopted within the framework of SCO, in good faith.
Article 3. Areas of Cooperation
The main areas of cooperation within SCO shall be the following:
maintenance of peace and enhancing security and confidence in the
region;
search of common positions on foreign policy issues of mutual
interest, including issues arising within international organizations
and international fora;
development and implementation of measures aimed at jointly
counteracting terrorism, separatism and extremism, illicit narcotics
and arms trafficking and other types of criminal activity of a
transnational character, and also illegal migration;
coordination of efforts in the field of disarmament and arms control;
support for, and promotion of regional economic cooperation in various
forms, fostering favorable environment for trade and investments with
a view to gradually achieving free flow of goods, capitals, services
and technologies;
effective use of available transportation and communication
infrastructure, improvement of transit capabilities of member States
and development of energy systems;
sound environmental management, including water resources management
in the region, and implementation of particular joint environmental
programs and projects;
mutual assistance in preventing natural and man-made disasters and
elimination of their implications;
exchange of legal information in the interests of development of
cooperation within SCO;
development of interaction in such spheres as science and technology,
education, health care, culture, sports and tourism.
The SCO member States may expand the spheres of cooperation by mutual
agreement.
Article 4. Bodies
1. For the implementation of goals and objectives of the present
Charter the following bodies shall operate within the Organization:
The Council of Heads of State;
The Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers);
The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs;
Meetings of Heads of Ministries and/or Agencies;
The Council of National Coordinators;
The Regional Counter-terrorist Structure;
Secretariat.
2. The functions and working procedures for the SCO bodies, other than
the Regional Counter-terrorist Structure, shall be governed by
appropriate provisions adopted by the Council of Heads of State.
3. The Council of Heads of State may decide to establish other SCO
bodies. New bodies shall be established by the adoption of additional
protocols to the present Charter which enter into force in the
procedure, set forth in Article 21 of this Charter.
Article 5. The Council of Heads of State
The Council of Heads of State shall be the supreme SCO body. It shall
determine priorities and define major areas of activities of the
Organization, decide upon the fundamental issues of its internal
arrangement and functioning and its interaction with other States and
international organizations, as well as consider the most topical
international issues.
The Council shall hold its regular meetings once a year. A meeting of
the Council of Heads of State shall be chaired by the head of State
organizing this regular meeting. The venue of a regular meeting of the
Council shall generally be determined in the Russian alphabetic order
of names of the SCO member States.
Article 6. The Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers)
The Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) shall approve the
budget of the Organization, consider and decide upon major issues
related to particular, especially economic, spheres of interaction
within the Organization.
The Council shall hold its regular meetings once a year. A meeting of
the Council shall be chaired by the head of Government (Prime
Minister) of the State on whose territory the meeting takes place.
The venue of a regular meeting of the Council shall be determined by
prior agreement among heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the
member States.
Article 7. The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs
The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs shall consider issues
related to day-to-day activities of the Organization, preparation of
meetings of the Council of Heads of State and holding of consultations
on international problems within the Organization. The Council may, as
appropriate, make statements on behalf of SCO.
The Council shall generally meet one month prior to a meeting of the
Council of Heads of State. Extraordinary meetings of the Council of
Ministers of Foreign Affairs shall be convened on the initiative of at
least two member States and upon consent of ministers of foreign
affairs of all other member States. The venue of a regular or
extraordinary meeting of the Council shall be determined by mutual
agreement.
The Council shall be chaired by the minister of foreign affairs of the
member State on whose territory the regular meeting of the Council of
Heads of State takes place, during the period starting from the date
of the last ordinary meeting of the Council of Heads of State to the
date of the next ordinary meeting of the Council of Heads of State.
The Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs shall
represent the Organization in its external contacts, in accordance
with the Rules of Procedure of the Council.
Article 8. Meetings of Heads of Ministries and/or Agencies
According to decisions of the Council of Heads of State and the
Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) heads of branch
ministries and/or agencies of the member States shall hold, on a
regular basis, meetings for consideration of particular issues of
interaction in respective fields within SCO.
A meeting shall be chaired by the head of a respective ministry and/or
agency of the State organizing the meeting. The venue and date of a
meeting shall be agreed upon in advance.
For the preparation and holding meetings the member States may, upon
prior agreement, establish permanent or ad hoc working groups of
experts which carry out their activities in accordance with the
regulations adopted by the meetings of heads of ministries and/or
agencies. These groups shall consist of representatives of ministries
and/or agencies of the member States.
Article 9. The Council of National Coordinators
The Council of National Coordinators shall be a SCO body that
coordinates and directs day-to-day activities of the Organization. It
shall make the necessary preparation for the meetings of the Council
of Heads of State, the Council of Heads of Government (Prime
Ministers) and the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. National
coordinators shall be appointed by each member State in accordance
with its internal rules and procedures.
The Council shall hold its meetings at least three times a year. A
meeting of the Council shall be chaired by the national coordinator of
the member State on whose territory the regular meeting of the Council
of Heads of State takes place, from the date of the last ordinary
meeting of the Council of Heads of State to the date of the next
ordinary meeting of the Council of Heads of State.
The Chairman of the Council of National Coordinators may on the
instruction of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Foreign
Affairs represent the Organization in its external contacts, in
accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Council of National
Coordinators.
Article 10. Regional Counter-Terrorist Structure
The Regional Counter-terrorist Structure established by the member
States of the Shanghai Convention to combat terrorism, separatism and
extremism of 15 June, 2001, located in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic,
shall be a standing SCO body.
Its main objectives and functions, principles of its constitution and
financing, as well as its rules of procedure shall be governed by a
separate international treaty concluded by the member States, and
other necessary instruments adopted by them.
Article 11. Secretariat
Secretariat shall be a standing SCO administrative body. It shall
provide organizational and technical support to the activities carried
out in the framework of SCO and prepare proposals on the annual budget
of the Organization.
The Secretariat shall be headed by the Executive Secretary to be
appointed by the Council of Heads of State on nomination by the
Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
The Executive Secretary shall be appointed from among the nationals of
member States on a rotational basis in the Russian alphabetic order of
the member States' names for a period of three years without a right
to be reappointed for another period.
The Executive Secretary deputies shall be appointed by the Council of
Ministers of Foreign Affairs on nomination by the Council of National
Coordinators. They cannot be representatives of the State from which
the Executive Secretary has been appointed.
The Secretariat officials shall be recruited from among nationals of
the member States on a quota basis.
The Executive Secretary, his deputies and other Secretariat officials
in fulfilling their official duties should not request or receive
instructions from any member State and/or government, organization or
physical persons. They should refrain from any actions that might
affect their status as international officials reporting to SCO only.
The member States shall undertake to respect the international
character of the duties of the Executive Secretary, his deputies and
Secretariat staff and not to exert any influence upon them as they
perform their official functions.
The SCO Secretariat shall be located at Beijing (the People's Republic
of China).
Article 12. Financing
SCO shall have its own budget drawn up and executed in accordance with
a special agreement between member States. This agreement shall also
determine the amount of contributions paid annually by member States
to the budget of the Organization on the basis of a cost-sharing
principle.
Budgetary resources shall be used to finance standing SCO bodies in
accordance with the above agreement. The member States shall cover
themselves the expenses related to the participation of their
representatives and experts in the activities of the Organization.
Article 13. Membership
The SCO membership shall be open for other States in the region that
undertake to respect the objectives and principles of this Charter and
to comply with the provisions of other international treaties and
instruments adopted in the framework of SCO.
The admission of new members to SCO shall be decided upon by the
Council of Heads of State on the basis of a representation made by the
Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in response to an official
request from the State concerned addressed to the acting Chairman of
the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
SCO membership of a member State violating the provisions of this
Charter and/or systematically failing to meet its obligations under
international treaties and instruments, concluded in the framework of
SCO, may be suspended by a decision of the Council of Heads of State
adopted on the basis of a representation made by the Council of
Ministers of Foreign Affairs. If this State goes on violating its
obligations, the Council of Heads of State may take a decision to
expel it from SCO as of the date fixed by the Council itself.
Any member State shall be entitled to withdraw from SCO by
transmitting to the Depositary an official notification of its
withdrawal from this Charter no later than twelve months before the
date of withdrawal. The obligations arising from participation in this
Charter and other instruments adopted within the framework of SCO
shall be binding for the corresponding States until they are
completely fulfilled.
Article 14. Relationship with Other States and International
Organizations
SCO may interact and maintain dialogue, in particular in certain areas
of cooperation, with other States and international organizations.
SCO may grant to the State or international organization concerned the
status of a dialogue partner or observer. The rules and procedures for
granting such a status shall be established by a special agreement of
member States.
This Charter shall not affect the rights and obligations of the member
States under other international treaties in which they participate.
Article 15. Legal Capacity
As a subject of international law, SCO shall have international legal
capacity. It shall have such a legal capacity in the territory of each
member State, which is required to achieve its goals and objectives.
SCO shall enjoy the rights of a legal person and may in particular:
- conclude treaties;
- acquire movable and immovable property and dispose of it;
- appear in court as litigant;
- open accounts and have monetary transactions made.
Article 16. Decisions-Taking Procedure
The SCO bodies shall take decisions by agreement without vote and
their decisions shall be considered adopted if no member State has
raised objections during the vote (consensus), except for the
decisions on suspension of membership or expulsion from the
Organization that shall be taken by "consensus minus one vote of the
member State concerned".
Any member State may expose its opinion on particular aspects and/or
concrete issues of the decisions taken which shall not be an obstacle
to taking the decision as a whole. This opinion shall be placed on
record.
Should one or several member States be not interested in implementing
particular cooperation projects of interest to other member States,
non participation of the abovesaid member States in these projects
shall not prevent the implementation of such cooperation projects by
the member States concerned and, at the same time, shall not prevent
the said member States from joining such projects at a later stage.
Article 17. Implementation of Decisions
The decisions taken by the SCO bodies shall be implemented by the
member States in accordance with the procedures set out in their
national legislation.
Control of the compliance with obligations of the member States to
implement this Charter, other agreements and decisions adopted within
SCO shall be exercised by the SCO bodies within their competence.
Article 18. Permanent Representatives
In accordance with their domestic rules and procedures, the member
States shall appoint their permanent representatives to the SCO
Secretariat, which will be members of the diplomatic staff of the
embassies of the member States in Beijing.
Article 19. Privileges and Immunities
SCO and its officials shall enjoy in the territories of all member
States the privileges and immunities which are necessary for
fulfilling functions and achieving goals of the Organization.
The volume of privileges and immunities of SCO and its officials shall
be determined by a separate international treaty.
Article 20. Languages
The official and working languages of SCO shall be Russian and
Chinese.
Article 21. Duration and Entry into Force
This Charter shall be of indefinite duration.
This Charter shall be subject to ratification by signatory States and
shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the date of the
deposit of the fourth instrument of ratification.
For a State which signed this Charter and ratified it thereafter it
shall enter into force on the date of the deposit of its instrument of
ratification with the Depositary.
Upon its entering into force this Charter shall be open for accession
by any State.
For each acceding State this Charter shall enter into force on the
thirtieth day following the date of receiving by the Depositary of
appropriate instruments of accession.
Article 22. Settlement of Disputes
In case of disputes or controversies arising out of interpretation or
application of this Charter member States shall settle them through
consultations and negotiations.
Article 23. Amendments and Additions
By mutual agreement of member States this Charter can be amended and
supplemented.
Decisions by the
Council of Heads of State concerning amendments and additions shall be
formalized by separate protocols which shall be its integral part and
enter into force in accordance with the procedure provided for by
Article 21 of this Charter.
Article 24. Reservations
No reservations can be made to this Charter which contradict the
principles, goals and objectives of the Organization and could prevent
any SCO body from performing its functions. If at least two thirds of
member States have objections the reservations must be considered as
contradicting the principles, goals and objectives of the Organization
or preventing any body from performing its functions and being null
and void.
Article 25. Depositary
The People's Republic of China shall be the Depositary of this
Charter.
Article 26. Registration
Pursuant to Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations, this
Charter is subject to registration with the Secretariat of the United
Nations.
Done at Saint-Petersburg the seventh day of June 2002 in a single
original in the Chinese and Russian languages, both texts being
equally authoritative.
The original copy of this Charter shall be deposited with the
Depositary who will circulate its certified copies to all signatory
States.
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