The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) should ensure the
peace and security of its six member countries, according to the
SCO's newly-elected secretary-general Bolat Nurgaliev.
The most important task for the SCO now is to further crackdown
on terrorism, separatism and extremism, Nurgaliev told Xinhua on
Wednesday.
"The organization has achieved great progress in this aspect,
with the whole region currently in a stable and predictable
situation," Nurgaliev said.
It's of key importance to ensure economic and cultural
cooperation between members as the happiness of people in our
member countries can only be guaranteed under good economic,
cultural and health conditions, he said.
He pointed out that the future of the organization was closely
linked to that of Asia and Europe.
The SCO has signed cooperation documents with the Commonwealth
of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Community and the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is now negotiating with
other international organizations to establish partnerships.
"The SCO will achieve great success if it can maintain internal
solidarity, ensure peace and stability of its members and promote
regional integration in economic and cultural sectors," Nurgaliev
said.
The 55-year-old secretary-general was once vice foreign minister
of Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan's ambassador to the United States,
Republic of Korea and Japan.
Nurgaliev told Xinhua that he had shown great interest in
China's history and culture as a child. He said that it was lucky
he had the chance to work in the Shanghai-based organization so he
could find out more about Chinese society.
"Before I came to China, I read a lot of books about the
country, watched Chinese movies and dramas and listened to friends
and colleagues. I was well prepared," he told Xinhua.
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The SCO, founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, aims to promote
regional security and fight against terrorism. It comprises China,
Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2007)
