Vladimir Putin: Dear Kurmanbek Salievich [President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiev]!
Dear heads of state and representatives from SCO observer countries!
I would like to greet the participants of the sixth SCO summit meeting. Today we are going to discuss the results of our joint work over the last little while and set our future priorities.
We generally agree that as the years go by the SCO is becoming an increasingly important factor in strengthening security and stability in Central Asia. The Organisation is working actively to increase the economic potential of member countries and to harmonise integration processes in the region.
Today we will sign Agreement on Long-Term Neighbourly Relations, Friendship and Cooperation. This document should define our future cooperation. And it will act as a basis for developing concrete programmes in each of the areas in which we cooperate.
It is evident that our key task remains tightening security in SCO member countries. And first and foremost eliminating the threats of terrorism, separatism and extremism. And in connection with this, the process of increasing our consultations and joint activities in the fight against terrorism takes on a special value.
It follows that we should pay serious attention to improving the legal foundations of our Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure. We must finish work on the agreements that regulate the regime for carrying out anti-terrorism training exercises and train the staff in the according departments of SCO member states. And we must also lay down a legal framework for developing contacts with SCO observer countries.
Continuing to set up a partnership network between regional counter-terrorism structures is also on the agenda. The foundations already exist. Ties with the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and the CIS Anti-Terrorism Centre are consistently becoming stronger. Representatives of the ASEAN Security Forum and other organisations have said on more than one occasion that they are ready to engage in dialogue with SCO on how best to face new challenges and threats. And of course closer cooperation with the corresponding UN agencies is in all of our interests.
The system designed to engage in a joint rapid response to threats the region faces will increase SCO potential to act in security issues. Its elements will be developed during tactical training exercises and one of them, Peace Mission 2007, is presently taking place in Russia in the Chelyabinsk region. We are going to attend its final phase tomorrow.
As you know, the training exercises are proceeding successfully and demonstrate heightened technical capabilities and better coordination between departments. And in connection with this, we should review the issue of regularly holding such exercises on the territories of different SCO countries.
The fight against illegal drug trafficking remains topical for SCO member countries. I am referring to conducting joint operations, training personnel, and analysing the relevant national legislation. We expect the leaders of anti-drug agencies to conduct an in-depth analysis of the situation and make proposals for conducting systematic work in this sphere.
As we fight against drug trafficking we expect close cooperation with SCO observer states and first and foremost the Afghan government, the UN and the entire international community.
It is important to continue building the anti-drug security belt along Afghanistan. This could be supplemented by financial security zones that would involve the financial monitoring services of SCO member countries in this work. This would increase the efficiency of the struggle against both drug trafficking and illegal incomes.
I am convinced that all SCO member countries are interested in stability in Afghanistan. In connection with this it would be useful to discuss the various possibilities for assisting Afghanistan's development during a special conference. I would suggest that we instruct representatives from our foreign ministries to work on this question. I am thinking of the fact that we already have an SCO-Afghanistan contact group.
We are ready to increase cooperation within the SCO with regards to anticipating emergency situations. And eventually establishing an SCO centre for preventing natural and man-made disasters.
Another significant area in which we cooperate includes hosting major international events. In particular, I am referring to ensuring security during the Beijing Summer Olympics next year. As you know, representatives of our countries' security councils agreed on this at a recent meeting. We know how much the Chinese government is preparing for this major international event, the Beijing 2008 Olympics, and we wish them success.
I am sure that the experience they gain will help us as we host the Winter Olympics in Sochi. I would like to use this occasion to once again thank our colleagues for their support and good wishes as Sochi was chosen to host the 2014 Olympics.
Dear Colleagues!
Developing economic cooperation plays a special role in our countries' partnership. This creates the necessary basis for accomplishing our key overall goal, namely increasing our citizens' quality of life.
Expanding cooperation in the energy sector will be able to act as a powerful stimulus for regional projects that are in the interests of all SCO members. I am confident that the energy dialogue we have begun, the links we have made between our national energy strategies, and the creation of an Energy Club will define the priority areas of our future cooperation.
Today there are attractive opportunities in the modernisation of transport infrastructure, and with respect to joining the European and Asian transport corridors. Cooperation in the knowledge-based industries should help us develop the innovative sectors of our domestic economies. And it should act as particular help in allowing us to develop our information and telecommunications sectors.
The implementation of economic projects is inextricably bound up with strengthening relations between financial institutions. And it is very important that these steps are already being taken. For example, the Russian VTB group plans to open their affiliates or subsidiaries in SCO member countries. We expect that the SCO Interbank Association will make a major contribution to this work.
There is a need to move forward and develop cultural contacts using the SCO framework. I believe that such an endeavour would benefit from the experience and capabilities of the CIS. This would involve multilateral projects in the fields of culture, science, education, and work with youth, using the existing structures in the Commonwealth. For example, the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund.
In this context, an important subject involves establishing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation University. It could be a network of educational institutions from member states offering coordinated educational programmes. This can markedly increase the opportunities our young people have to receive a first-rate modern education, and for teachers and researchers to develop academic contacts.
I think that this issue could be worked out by ministries of education, and then presented to the SCO Council of Heads of States.
A problem that carries special social significance relates to continuing our joint efforts in the field of public health. Thus, at the initiative of the Russian members of the SCO Business Council in July and August 2007, several teams of doctors did check-ups preventing infectious diseases and tuberculosis in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. And very soon, sometime this fall, there will be a mobile rail-based medical centre operating in SCO countries.
The plans for an SCO Health Organisation are worth pointing out. Obviously, the coordinated efforts of SCO countries in this area could enhance the quality of medical care for our citizens.
And, of course, we would welcome the involvement of observer states in these and other similar projects.
Dear participants!
In this new century the world is changing rapidly. The old way of thinking in Cold War blocs is out of date. New centres of power and economic growth have appeared. Like other countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Russia supports the strengthening of a multi-polar international system that provides equal security and development possibilities for all countries. We believe that security in a globalising world is indivisible. And attempts to deal with global and regional problems in isolation have no future.
Since it was established, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation bears witness to the effectiveness of collective efforts to counteract contemporary challenges and threats and expand the horizons of business and cultural cooperation. And there is no doubt that every year the SCO's precious formative role will continue to grow.
In conclusion, I wish once again to express my gratitude to our Kyrgyz colleagues for the work they have done to prepare for today's meeting. I would also like to wish our Tajik friends, who are taking over the chairmanship of the SCO, every success in setting and attaining laudable new goals for our cooperation.
Thank you for your attention.