Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Zhang Deguang, met in Beijing on Monday to discuss increasing cooperation between the two sides.

 

According to sources with the SCO, Musharraf said in the meeting that Pakistan attaches great importance to the SCO and hopes to become a full member of the organization as soon as possible.

 

Pakistan is ready to play a bigger role in cooperating within the SCO framework, Musharraf was quoted as saying.

 

Regarding Pakistan's wish to become a full SCO member, Zhang told the press after the meeting that relevant documents need to be signed for the SCO to enlist new membership. Such a document has not been produced yet, Zhang said.

 

"We will convey Pakistan's wish to become a full member of the SCO to every member country," Zhang noted.

 

Pakistan plays a "great role" in fighting international terrorism, and also in the development of economical and cultural ties between the countries in this region, Zhang said.

 

"We attach particular importance to the interaction between Pakistan, an observer country for now, and the SCO," Zhang stated.

 

Following discussions with Zhang, the president later met with a Chinese business delegation led by Hu Deping, vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce.

 

The two sides exchanged views on promoting cooperation in fields such as energy, communications, mechanical manufacturing, agriculture and textiles.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2006)