RATS SCO

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The Heads of states participating in the Shanghai cooperation organization (hereafter SCO, or Organization) - the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan, assembling in Tashkent on the session of the Council of Heads of SCO member states on June 17, 2004, state the following:

The Heads of states emphasized, that successes, achieved by SCO from the moment of its establishment, and changes in the international situation testify conformity of establishment and development of the organization to the trends of an epoch, perspective and fundamental interests of peoples of six states, as well as the correctness of the principles established by the Organization.

The Heads of states, having noted the successful accomplishment of tasks on completion of the organizational establishment of SCO, approved at the Moscow summit in July 2003, positively evaluated the work, carried out by the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Council of National Coordinators.

The Heads of states expressed satisfaction on the timely launch of SCO permanent bodies - the Secretariat in Beijing and the Executive Committee of the Regional antiterrorist structure (RATS) in Tashkent and made note of the significant efforts of Chinese and Uzbek parties on creating appropriate conditions for their sanguineous functioning.

In October 2003 the RATS supervising body - the Council begun functioning. Concrete working plan has been developed in RATS and a number of necessary legal documents have been adopted. Thus, necessary preconditions have been created for the effective functioning of RATS, called to impart systematic and purposeful character to interactions within SCO framework aimed at realization of the Shanghai Convention on combating terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The importance of uninterrupted maintenance of work of mechanism for financing SCO activity has been noted to provide qualitative and effective accomplishment of forthcoming tasks facing SCO.

To strengthen SCO in general, and to develop its economic component of fundamental importance is the long-term Program of multilateral trade and economic cooperation of SCO member states, approved by the Council of Heads of the Governments (Prime Ministers) in Beijing in September 2003. The document has not only pointed out common understanding of business partnership reference points, goals and tasks of six countries for the perspective up to 2020, but also outlined ways and methods of their realization.

The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs is actively working. The Protocol on cooperation and coordination of activity among Ministries of Foreign Affairs of six countries is expected to play an important role in coordination of positions of six countries on urgent issues of international life.

The Heads of states support the initiative of Republic of Uzbekistan on holding regular meetings of Security Council Secretaries of member-states of the Organization aimed at strengthening cooperation of corresponding national bodies in counteracting to new threats and calls.

The Heads of states emphasize, that in new conditions the Council of National Coordinators, relying on the SCO Secretariat, should focus attention not only on providing coherent functioning of the Organization, but also on elaboration of conceptual approaches to further development of SCO.

At the stage of its establishment, adhering to the principle of openness, SCO has already entered the international interaction as its authoritative and equitable participant. SCO will follow this line henceforth. The Regulations on the observer status of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization adopted in Tashkent has become a new essential step in establishing and expanding SCO contacts with other international associations and states, regardless of their geographical position. The work will be continued on documents regulating other forms of international cooperation of the Organization, stipulated by the SCO Charter.

With completion of institutional establishment period, SCO has entered a stage of developing full-scale cooperation of member states within the framework of the Organization. The Heads of states stand in favor of progressive structured movement forward in all directions, specified by the SCO Charter. Thus, the interaction should have both long-term reference points, and priorities for the near perspective. The aim of interaction consists of joint definition of interests, which unify six countries on the basis of respect of their individuality and sovereign rights.

The Agreement among member-states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on combating the trafficking of illegal narcotics and psychotropic substances, signed in Tashkent, will be of great importance for multilateral activity within SCO framework on counteracting transnational threats and calls. The Heads of states consider, that the course of implementing this Agreement should be in sight of the mechanism of Security Councils Secretaries meetings, which could also organize activity on preparing complex program document on interaction within SCO framework in struggle against new calls and threats, including trafficking of illegal weapons and ammunitions, explosive, asphyxiate, poisonous and radioactive substances, recruiting mercenaries.

Progressive economic development of the Central Asian region and contiguous states, as well as satisfaction of population's essential vital needs are guarantee of their stability and security.

In this connection, the Heads of states consider it necessary, that coordination of the Plan of measures on realization of abovementioned Program of multilateral trade and economic cooperation is to be completed and four created expert groups are to be fully functional by to the next session of the Council of Heads of the Governments (Prime Ministers) in Bishkek in autumn of 2004. It is important to envisage such systematic steps, realization of which is supposed to lead to modern forms of trade and economic cooperation and to increase in goods turnover among our countries, harmonize normative-legal base, gradually create favorable conditions for free movement of goods, capitals, services and technologies.

Besides already adopted and planned measures on stimulating integration processes within SCO framework, the Heads of states consider it timely to start the creation of SCO development fund and SCO Business council and authorize the SCO Secretariat to provide for the preparation of corresponding documents on realization of these projects in possibly short time.

As a whole, while positively assessing development of cooperation in various areas for the period after the Moscow summit, the Heads of states pay attention to necessity of providing precision and effectiveness of interaction by the Ministries, responsible for external economic and foreign trade activity, transport, defense, culture, liquidation of emergency situations consequences, as well as among other structures of SCO member-states. Thus, to increase effectiveness of activity of the institute of meetings of Heads of the ministries and departments, the speediest completion of development and adoption of legal norms of interaction, as well as timely fulfillment of the achieved agreements acquire special significance.

Matters of environmental protection, rational and effective utilization of water resources had to be included into the agenda of developing cooperation within the Organization's frameworks. Corresponding ministries and services, as well as scientific institutions could begin this year joint work to prepare SCO strategy in these areas.

III

The Heads of states are convinced, that further development and strengthening of SCO - which is not a block organization and is based on principles of equal partnership, mutual respect, trust and openness -correspond the main tendencies of international development and will promote broadening the scope of international dialogue.

SCO is ready to actively participate in constructive formation of new architecture of security, capable to consolidate wide international efforts on counteracting new calls and threats to global and regional stability. To achieve these goals, SCO will cooperate with other states and international structures, first of all with the UNO, to contribute in to security and stability not only in SCO region, but also in the world in general.

The Heads of states express great concern in connection with new sharp splash of terrorism and extremism. Various countries and regions of the world are becoming terrorist targets. Terrorism is flexibly adapting to the situation, applying modern technical means, and ready to exploit in its interests any unsettled conflicts.

The global threat of terrorism should be confronted by the global system of counteraction with the United Nations as its central core, which should rely on regional, sub-regional and national structures. Thus it is important to not only respond adequately to terrorist actions, but also to work on prevention.

SCO member-states will strengthen cooperation in security field, with the purpose of increasing efficiency of struggle against terrorism, separatism and extremism and protecting their common interests. The Heads of states make note of the expediency of carrying out of joint antiterrorist exercises with the participation of law enforcement bodies and special services aimed at strengthening coordination in struggle against these threats.

The Heads of statesbelieve, that answers to modern complex calls - whether it is an international terrorism or regional conflicts and crises - can and should be found on bases of multilateralism and cooperativeness without division of states into various categories, and with adherence of norms and principles of international law. Only such an approach will provide international security and stability in conditions of globalization. SCO firmly intends to be guided by these principles in its activity and expresses readiness to actively cooperate with all states and multilateral associations on this conceptual basis.

Being interested in revival of peaceful, united and prospering Afghanistan, living in harmony with its neighbors and other countries of the world, SCO welcomes formation of the wide-representative government in the country.

SCO member states, recognizing the UNO central coordinating role in implementing international programs in this country, will make efforts to promote international cooperation in struggle against terrorism, extremism and narcobusiness with the purpose to establish security, peace and tranquility, as well as create necessary conditions for peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The Heads of states point out, that constructive cooperation of all regional associations in Asian-Pacific region have determining importance for maintaining peace, stability and prosperity, which is, undoubtedly, in the interests of all countries located in the region.

The Heads of states address international organizations and forums functioning in the Asian-Pacific region with a proposal to start gradual creation of partnership network of multilateral associations by concluding among them corresponding agreements, including granting to each other on a mutual basis the observer status.

The Heads of states believe that realization of this initiative would promote formation in Asian-Pacific region of cooperative system of common regional security and cooperation, acting within the framework of the UN Charter and international law, equally considering interests of all participants.