SCO leaders sign convention against terrorism

YEKATERINBURG: Leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) signed a convention against terrorism, even as they backed enhanced cooperation among member countries to tackle security threats and the global financial crisis.

"Constructive dialogues and enhanced cooperation are effective ways to seek solutions to regional and international issues, such as security threats, the global financial crisis, food security and climate change," a joint communique released after the conclusion of the summit said.

The summit was attended by heads of state of SCO member countries, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and leaders of SCO observer nations, Mongolia, India, Pakistan and Iran.

Manmohan Singh, who was the first Indian Prime Minister to address the summit, said that terrorism is haunting the Asian and Central Asian region and underlined the need for "genuine" cooperation among countries on a global scale to resolutely defeat the menace.

He said the "specter of terrorism, extremist ideologies and illicit drug trafficking haunt our region" amid the presence of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.

It was the first time that leaders from observer states were included in a restricted meeting of SCO summit.

"We wish to see peace, prosperity and stability in the region that the (SCO) Organization represents. We have a lot to gain and learn from each other. It is in this spirit that we approach our engagement with the Organization and its different organs and bodies," Singh added. Besides the declaration, the leaders also signed several other documents, including a convention against terrorism and agreements on training anti-terrorist forces of SCO members and cooperation on international information security.

The leaders asked for enhanced supervision of financial institutions and more international cooperation, so as to prevent the further spread of the financial crisis.

"The member countries will strengthen cooperation within the framework of the SCO, and make concerted efforts with the rest of the international community to build a more fair and rational international financial system," the document said.

The leaders called for the establishment of a more just and rational system of inter-governmental relations, and set priorities for future cooperation, the document added.

The leaders called for the establishment of a more just and rational system of inter-governmental relations, and set priorities for future cooperation, the document said.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, host of the summit said active participation in the cooperation within the SCO framework remains one of Russia's diplomatic priorities. He called for further strengthening of mutual trust between the SCO members to tackle the current threats.