20110615
Xinhua
ASTANA, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) said Wednesday its member states would focus on cooperation in trade and counter-terrorism and called for an end to the Libyan crisis.

The SCO heads of state made the remarks in a declaration signed in the Kazakh capital of Astana on the organization's 10th anniversary.

Acknowledging the tremendous changes in global politics and economy, the SCO leaders, in the declaration, agreed they shared extensive common ground on regional and international issues and reiterated close coordination in this regard.

The leaders expressed "deep concern" over the situation in West Asia and North Africa, calling for regional stability at an early date. They supported countries in the region to promote democracy in line with their own national conditions, and historical and cultural traditions.

"Their domestic conflict and crisis should only be resolved peacefully through political dialogue and the international community should take actions contributing to ethnic reconciliation," the declaration said.

It called on the international community to strictly abide by international laws, and respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the affected countries without interfering in their internal affairs.

The declaration said SCO members stressed strict adherence to the U.N. Security Council's Resolutions 1970 and 1973, which authorize imposition of the no-fly zone in Libya.

Stressing cooperation with the United Nations, the SCO supported gradual reform of the U.N. to strengthen its authority and efficiency to handle challenges and threats in a more timely and effective manner.

"There should be a package solution to the U.N. and Security Council reform based on multilateral consultations. To preserve unity among member states, there should be no preset timetable for the negotiations," the declaration said.

Member states should follow the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in central Asia would help strengthen the non-proliferation system and international and regional security, according to the declaration.

Member countries reiterated fighting against the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism remained a priority for the SCO. They will jointly implement the Shanghai Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism and the SCO Convention against Terrorism, according to the declaration.

It said they were willing to promote cooperation in information security as combating global and transnational cyber crime needed concerted international efforts.

The SCO signed a protocol with Afghanistan on establishing a liaison group on Nov. 4, 2005 and the declaration again voiced the SCO's support for Afghanistan becoming an independent, neutral, peaceful and prosperous country.

Realizing peace and stability was a major component of safeguarding regional and international security, SCO member states would continue to assist the Afghan people in rebuilding their country, the declaration said.

"Improving people's well-being is the top goal of the organization.Member states will implement their joint plan adopted in 2009 to get out of the repercussions of the global financial crisis and maintain sustainable and balanced national economies," the declaration said.

The SCO supported further reform to the international financial system and increased policy coordination in financial regulation, the declaration said, adding member states would discuss how to keep their financial system stable.

Member states would facilitate large joint projects in transportation, telecommunication, agriculture, innovation and energy conservation as well as trade and tourism, aiming to greatly expand their trade volume and explore new markets, it said.

The SCO groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Mongolia, Pakistan, Iran and India are observers. Sri Lanka and Belarus are dialogue partners.

The declaration said bloc members would continue to implement the guideline concerning their multilateral economic and trade cooperation, approved at Astana on Oct. 30, 2008.

The leaders advocated trade and investment cooperation, including tapping the potential of the SCO observers and dialogue partners.

Member states acknowledged the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, pledging to boost partnerships in culture, environment, science, health, tourism and sports.

The leaders pledged to effectively achieve the organization's existing goals and preserve peace, stability and prosperity in the region, the declaration said.