[Title] DECLARATION by the Heads of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
The heads of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (hereinafter referred to as the SCO or the Organization) – the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan – having met on July 5, 2005 in Astana at a session of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO members, state the following.
I
Since the Tashkent meeting of the heads of the member states in June 17, 2004, all the tasks set forth then in order to further develop and strengthen the SCO, have been largely implemented.
The Organization is confidently moving along developing multilateral cooperation among its member states and actively interacting with other international organizations and countries.
The SCO permanent bodies - the Secretariat in Beijing and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent, in operation since 2004 - are becoming effective collective instruments that ensure smooth functioning of the Organization. The Meeting has noted an important role of the RATS Council - its governing body - that should continue to increase.
In order to improve SCO, its organs and mechanisms' efficiency and coherence, the heads of state have agreed that the Council of National Coordinators, by the next 2006 Summit, will prepare proposals for strengthening the Secretariat's role and renaming the position of its chief executive officer to that of the SCO Secretary General.
The heads of state have noted the importance of taking necessary measures to implement the agreements reached at the second meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the SCO member states that was held on June 2, 2005 in Astana.
To assist the RATS in the implementation of the Shanghai Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism, the heads of state have agreed to establish an institute of permanent representatives of the member states operating on the same principles that underpin the functioning of the already existing permanent representatives of the member states to the Secretariat.
The heads of state have expressed their confidence that the Concept of cooperation among the SCO member states in the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism adopted by the SCO summit, will increase the efficiency of such cooperation and will make RATS operation more clearly focused.
The heads of states hold that the forthcoming meeting of the heads of government (Prime Ministers) scheduled to be held in the autumn of 2005 in Moscow, will give a special impetus to the implementation of the Plan of Actions in support of the implementation of the Program of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation among the SCO member states adopted in September 2004 in Bishkek, and to the practical collaboration between ministries and agencies responsible for foreign economic and trade activities, transportation, environmental protection, emergency relief, culture and education, and also will approve rational SCO financial and budgetary policy.
The SCO Business Council, almost fully established, is intended to become a new force behind the integration processes within the Organization. Based on agreed principles, the Parties will accelerate the founding of the SCO Development Fund. Simultaneously, the Parties are in agreement to strengthen inter-bank cooperation with the view of providing financial support to the implementation of regional cooperation projects.
Having noted the extensive and constructive work done by the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the heads of state has emphasized the importance of the well-functioning mechanism of consultations on international issues that has already been launched. They also consider necessary to ensure though out and focused development of the SCO international contacts. In principle, such issues should be decided by the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, while on-going coordination of the SCO permanent bodies' relations should be carried out by the Council of National Coordinators in cooperation with the Council of RATS.
The heads of state express their confidence that granting the SCO observer status to Pakistan, Iran and India will increase the capacity of the Organization to develop multilateral and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.
Granting the SCO the status of observer to the UN General Assembly in December 2004, and signing of the memoranda of understanding between the SCO and ASEAN, and between the SCO and CIS in April 2005, have been important indicators of the SCO growing international authority.
In the near future, the Council of National Coordinators, jointly with the Secretariat and RATS, should develop common approaches enabling SCO to most efficiently develop contacts with the UN Secretariat, commissions and committees, implement signed documents on cooperation with other international organizations, based on equality and mutual respect establish ties with regional associations and fora, as well as with interested States.
II
The heads of state note that in the contradictory environment of globalization, maintenance of world peace and security is facilitated by multilateral cooperation based on the principles of equality and mutual respect, non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, nonconfrontational thinking, consistent progress towards democratization of international relations, and they call upon the international community, regardless of the differences in ideology and social systems, to develop a new security concept based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation.
The world's diversity of cultures and civilizations is a universal human value. In an era of rapid development of information technologies and communications it should promote mutual interest, tolerance, freedom from extremes in approaches and assessments and development of a dialogue. The right of every nation to its own way of development should be fully guaranteed.
The heads of state are convinced that a rational and just world order should be based on strengthened mutual trust and good-neighborliness and genuine partnerships with no one claiming monopoly and domination in international affairs. This world order will be more stable and safe if it is based on the supremacy of the principles and norms of international law, primarily of the UN Charter. As regards human rights, it is necessary to strictly and consistently respect historic traditions, specificity of every nations and sovereign equality of all states.
The heads of state argue in support of rational and necessary reforms of the United Nations aimed at increased efficiency and credibility of the organization. It has been confirmed that, importantly, such reforms should be based on seeking the broadest possible consensus, and no deadline should be set for them, nor should a vote be forced on any project over which there are major differences.
The heads of state hold that in the 21st century the Asia-Pacific region is destined to play an important role in promoting peace and development, and they argue in favor of having no dividing lines in the region as a whole, nor in its individual parts. Any misunderstandings and disputes between states should be resolved by peaceful means through negotiations. This dynamic region should enjoy an atmosphere of friendship, mutual understanding, cooperation and constructiveness firmly established. Facilitation of the above constitutes one of the main directions of the SCO operations.
The heads of state support the efforts by the Central Asian states aimed at ensuring peace, security and stability in their countries and the region as a whole, they argue in favor of the SCO playing an active role in strengthening stability and promoting economic development in Central Asia.
III
The heads of state believe that effective countering of new challenges and threats to international and regional security and stability require combined efforts by the member states.
Such joint efforts should be systemic and actually help to ensure reliable protection of territory, population, vital installations and infrastructure of the member states from the destructive impact of new challenges and threats, and create the necessary conditions for sustainable development and poverty eradication in the SCO region, including:
- development of closer cooperation among foreign policy, foreign economic, law enforcement, intelligence agencies and defense departments of the member states;
- active use of the mechanism of the meetings of the Secretaries of Security Councils of the member states;
- elaboration of effective measures and mechanisms for the joint SCO response to situations that threaten peace, security and stability in the region;
- joint planning and conducting of anti-terrorist measures;
- harmonization of the domestic national security legislation;
- cooperation in the development and use of modern technical equipment employed when addressing new challenges and threats;
- establishment of an effective mechanism of information countering of new challenges and threats;
- training of relevant specialists.
The SCO member states will suppress in their territories efforts to prepare and carry out acts of terrorism, including those directed against the interests of other states, they will not grant asylum to persons accused or suspected of conducting terrorist, separatist and extremist activities, and extradite such persons if so requested by another SCO state, in strict compliance with the effective legislation of the member states.
Measures will be taken to improve and increase the efficiency of the SCO Regional Antiterrorist Structure.
It is important for the SCO, as part of its fight against international terrorism, to resolve problems related to elimination of its resource base, especially through actions to combat illicit trafficking in weapons, ammunition, explosives and drugs, organized cross-border crime, illegal migration and mercenary operations. Particular attention should be paid to preventing terrorists from using components of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery and information terrorism.
In order to address issues related to financing of terrorism, separatism and extremism, including legalization of income and assets obtained illegally, the SCO needs to urgently develop common monitoring approaches and standards in respect of remittances, financial flows of persons and organizations suspected of involvement in terrorism, as well as to be actively involved in relevant international efforts.
The priority should be assigned to intensified cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors in accordance with the Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors of June 17, 2004. The SCO is willing to take an active part in the international efforts to build anti-drug belts around Afghanistan and in the development and implementation of special programs of assistance to Afghanistan in order to stabilize the socio-economic and humanitarian situation there.
We support the efforts of the international coalition engaged in the antiterrorist operation in Afghanistan and we will continue doing so. Today, we note the positive trend of internal political stabilization in Afghanistan. A number of the SCO member states have provided their ground infrastructure for temporary deployment of military contingents of the coalition participating states, as well as their territory and air space for military transit in the interest of the antiterrorist operation.
Given the completion of the active military phase of the antiterrorist operation in Afghanistan, the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization deem it necessary for the relevant participating states of the antiterrorist coalition to set a deadline for the temporary use of said infrastructure and presence of their military contingents in the territory of the SCO member states.
Protection and development of key infrastructure and transport facilities is becoming increasingly important in terms of prevention and elimination of various types of man-made disasters, the impacts of which constitute an essential share of new types of threats. The SCO member states will develop multilateral mechanisms for monitoring system, exchange of analytical information with regard to potential disasters and their consequences, as well as arranging necessary legal and organizational conditions for conducting joint rescue operations, including uniform methods employed for the training of personnel, its rapid transportation and compatibility of the technical equipment used.
The SCO will be making constructive contributions to the global efforts in ensuring safety on land, at sea, in the air and outer space.
In order to increase the capacity of the member states of the Organization to combat terrorism, separatism, extremism and other challenges and threats, the SCO member states will consistently expand economic cooperation, guided by the Program of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation and the Plan of Actions in support of its implementation. Practical steps will be taken in the area of environmental protection and management.
An urgent task is to develop agreed methodologies and recommendations for taking preventive measures and conducting appropriate outreach activities among the population in order to counter destructive impacts on public opinion. The member states will actively promote the expansion of the SCO cooperation in such areas as education, culture, sport and tourism.
The heads of state hold that the SCO joint efforts aimed at ensuring safety and enhancing the Organization's capacity do not jeopardize the interests of other countries and should not be perceived as an attempt of any block creation. They are fully consistent with the principle of the SCO openness and the spirit of broad international cooperation in confronting new challenges and threats