Tashkent Declaration by the Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, June 21, 2004

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Unofficial translation

Tashkent Declaration by the Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

21-06-2004

The Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (hereinafter - "SCO" or "the Organization") - the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tadjikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan having met on June 17, 2004, in Tashkent at a session of the Council of the Heads of State - members of the SCO declare the following:

The Heads of State stressed that the progress achieved since the establishment of the SCO and the developments in the international situation demonstrate relevancy of the establishment and development of the Organization given the current trends and prospective and fundamental interests of the peoples of the six States, as well as the validity of the principles adopted by the Organization.

Having noted successful fulfillment of the tasks put forward at the Moscow Summit in May, 2003, to complete the institutionalization of the SCO, the Heads of State appreciated the work done by the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Council of National Coordinators.

The Heads of State expressed their satisfaction with a timely putting into action permanent organs of the SCO - Secretariat in Beijing and the Regional Anti-terrorist Structure (RATS) Executive Committee in Tashkent and noted major efforts of the Chinese and Uzbek Parties to provide appropriate conditions for their full functioning.

October 2003 saw the beginning of the work of the RATS governing body i.e. the Council. RATS has elaborated a specific plan of work and adopted a number of necessary legal instruments. Thus, necessary prerequisites have been created for an efficient operation of the RATS which is to ensure a coherent and target-oriented interaction within the SCO framework to implement the Shanghai Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism.

It was noted that uninterrupted operation of the funding mechanism for the SCO activities was important for proper and effective execution of SCO's functions.

The Long-term Program of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation among the SCO Member States approved by the Council of the Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) in Beijing in September 2003, is essential for strengthening the SCO as a whole and developing its economic component. This instrument not only recorded common understanding of the benchmarks, goals and objectives of the business partnership of the six countries up to 2020, but also outlined ways and means of their implementation.

The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs works intensively. The Protocol on Cooperation and Coordination of Activities between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the six countries is to play an important role in concordance of the stances of the six countries on urgent international issues.

The Heads of State support the initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan to hold regular meetings of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the Organization's Member States with a view to strengthening cooperation among relevant national authorities in counteracting new global threats and challenges.

Appreciating the significant contribution made by the Council of National Coordinators to the implementation of decisions of the Moscow Summit, the Heads of State emphasize that in the new environment the Council, relying on the SCO Secretariat, should focus not only on ensuring a well-coordinated operation of the Organization, but also on the development of conceptual approaches to the SCO future development.

As early as at the stage of its formation, the SCO adhering to the principle of transparency entered international intercourse as a respected and equal party. And the SCO will continue to stand by this policy. The Regulation on the Status of Observer to the SCO which was adopted in Tashkent is a new important step towards development and expansion of contacts between the SCO and other international associations and States irrespective of their geographical position. The work on elaboration of documents regulating other forms of the Organization's international cooperation, as provided by the SCO Charter, will be continued.

With the complition of the institutionalization period the SCO entered a stage of a full-scale development of cooperation between its Member States within the Organization's framework. Heads of State stand for a progressive well-ordered advance along all directions determined in the SCO Charter. Such interaction should be based both on long-term objectives and short-term priorities. The goal of the interaction is to identify jointly the interests that unite the six countries on the basis of respect for their identity and sovereign rights.

The Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursors signed in Tashkent will be of great importance for the multilateral activities within the SCO to counteract transnational threats and challenges. The Heads of State believe that the progress of implementation of the Agreement should be monitored through the mechanism of the Security Council's Secretary meetings which could also organize the drafting of a complex programme document on cooperation within the SCO in addressing new challenges and threats, including illicit trafficking in arms, ammunition, explosives, toxic, poisonous and radioactive substances as well as mercenarism.

Progressive economic development of the Central Asia Region and the neighboring states and meeting the vital needs of their population is a keystone of their stability and security.

In this respect, the Heads of State deem it is necessary by the next meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) to be held in Bishkek in the autumn of 2004, to complete the Action Plan of implementation of the above Programme and to launch at full capacity the four groups of experts. It is important to foresee such systematic steps, the realization of which would mean the achievement of modern forms of trade and economic cooperation and increased turnover of trade between our states as well as harmonization of the regulatory and legal framework, gradual development of favorable environment for free movement of goods, capitals, services and technologies.

In addition to the measures already taken or scheduled to promote the integration processes within the SCO, the Heads of State consider it is timely to embark on the establishment of the SCO Business Council and the SCO Development Fund and instruct the SCO Secretariat to work out documents on realization of these projects as soon as possible.

While giving an overall positive assessment of cooperation in various fields during the period following the Moscow Summit, the Heads of State take note of the need to ensure a well-defined and productive interaction through the ministries responsible for foreign economic activity, foreign trade, transport, defense, culture and emergency relief, as well as through other structures of the SCO Member States. In order to increase the effectiveness of the work of the institution of ministries' and departments' heads meetings the fastest completion of the working out and the adoption of the interaction juridical standards and timely implementation of the agreements already reached acquire a great importance.

Environmental protection issues, rational and effective utilization of the water resources should be added to the agenda for cooperation development within the Organization. Relevant ministries and departments as well as scientific institutions could start joint activities already this year to elaborate the SCO strategy in those fields of cooperation.

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The Heads of State are convinced that progressive development and strengthening of the SCO, which is not a block, but is based on principles of equal partnership, mutual respect, mutual trust and openness, are consistent with major trends in international development and will promote expansion of the international dialogue.

The SCO is eager to actively participate in constructive shaping of the structure of a new security architecture capable of consolidating extensive international efforts to counteract new challenges and threats to global and regional stability. To this end, the SCO will cooperate with other international mechanisms and States, primarily with the UN, and make its contribution to security and stability not only within the SCO but worldwide.

The Heads of State express their deep concern over the new outburst of terrorism and extremism. Different countries and regions of the world are becoming the targets for terrorists. Terrorism is flexibly adapting to the current situation, it employs modern technologies and is ready to take advantage of any unsettled conflicts.

Global terrorist threat should be opposed by a global counteraction system centered around the UN and based on regional, sub-regional and national structures. It is important not only to respond adequately to terrorist acts but to take preventive actions as well.

The SCO Member States will strengthen their cooperation in the security sphere in order to increase the effectiveness of the struggle against terrorism, separatism and extremism and in order to increase the effectiveness of the protection of their common interests. The Heads of State note the expediency of carrying out joint antiterrorist maneuvers with participation of the law enforcement agencies and the special services. Those joint antiterrorist maneuvers are aimed at enhancing the coordination in the struggle against those threats.

Heads of State believe that responses to the complex challenges of our time -- be they international terrorism or regional conflicts and crises -- can and have to be found on a multilateral and cooperative basis without categorizing States and under the leadership of the UN, while observing its Charter, rules and principles of the international law. Only this approach will ensure international security and stability in a globalizing world. SCO is strongly committed to these principles and expresses its willingness to actively cooperate with all States and multilateral associations within this conceptual framework.

SCO, being an organization interested in the revival of a peaceful, united and prosperous Afghanistan living in harmony with its neighbors and other nations, welcomes the formation of a broadly represented government.

The SCO Member States, recognizing the central coordinating role of the UN in the implementation of international programs in Afghanistan, will strive to promote international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking with a view to achieve security, peace and order, and to create the necessary conditions for peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The Heads of State note that constructive cooperation among all regional associations in Asia-Pacific Region is decisive for the maintenance of peace, stability and prosperity which undoubtedly is the interest of all APR countries.

The Heads of the SCO Member States address the international organizations and fora active in the APR with a proposal to gradually establish a partnership network of multilateral associations by means of conclusion among them of appropriate agreements, including mutual provision to each other of an observer status.

The Heads of State believe that implementation of this initiative would promote the development of a region-wide mutual security and cooperation system in the APR operating within the framework of the UN Charter and the international law and taking into account, on an equal basis, the interests of all its members.

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