Chinese Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing urged in Astana on Saturday the member
countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to further
consolidate unity and cooperation to guarantee a smooth development
of the group.
Addressing a SCO foreign ministers' meeting, Li called on the
SCO members to take concrete measures to step up preparation for
the forthcoming SCO summit, scheduled to be held in Astana in
July.
To make the summit a united, pragmatic and pioneering one, the
Chinese foreign minister proposed the SCO members to strengthen
economic cooperation, beef up security measures, broaden external
contacts steadily, deepen cooperation in culture, disaster relief,
education, tourism, media and other fields.
On the situation in Central Asia, Li said China firmly supports
the efforts by the central Asian countries to maintain independence
and sovereignty, keep social stability and promote economic
development.
The Chinese foreign minister expressed his delight to see the
situation in Uzbekistan's Andijan region back to normal, and hoped
that the coming presidential election in Kyrgyzstan would proceed
smoothly.
He encouraged the SCO member states and other organizations
concerned to make efforts to maintain stability, cooperation and
development in Central Asia.
In his speech, Li also stressed that the United Nations (UN), as
the world's most representative and authoritative organization,
should play a leading role in international affairs, especially in
safeguarding world peace and the promoting common development.
The foreign minister suggested the UN Security Council to pay
special attention to developing countries and take more care of
their interests. The Council should stick to the principle of
maintaining geographical balance among different regions and take
different cultures into account.
As for the reform schemes involving various regions, a broad
consensus should be first of all reached in the regions concerned
before they are implemented, Li said.
The foreign minister insisted that any UN reforms reflect the
common interests of the member states, and there is no need to set
deadlines for reforms or force implementation of any immature
reforms.
Foreign ministers from Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, vice
foreign ministers from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan attended the meeting,
with Mongolian foreign minister attending the meeting as an
observer. The foreign ministers discussed topics such as how to
further strengthen cooperation in the future, how to prepare for
the forthcoming SCO summit, in addition to exchanging views on
other international and regional issues.
The SCO, set up in June 2001 to promote regional cooperation and
fight terrorism, groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
(Xinhua News Agency June 5, 2005)