Chinese President Hu Jintao Tuesday spoke highly of the talks held by the prime ministers of the six Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members.

He said the documents signed by the prime ministers have laid down a vital legal foundation for economic cooperation among the SCO members, which would be sure to further the regional economic cooperation within the SCO, and create favorable conditions for the timely operation of permanent SCO body.

The president made the remark in a meeting with Kazakh Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev, Russian Prime Minister Kasyanov, Tajik Prime Minister Akil Akilov and Uzbek Prime Minister Utkur Sultanov.

Hu said that since its founding two years ago, the SCO had become a vital bridge for promoting mutual trust and friendly cooperative ties among the SCO members, an effective mechanism for facilitating regional security and stability and a positive force for promoting world peace and development.

The SCO members should join hands to become more active in participating in international cooperation and contributing to promoting the establishment of a new, just and rational international political and economic order, he said.

The president said China will take active part in the cooperation among the SCO and is willing to join hands with other SCO members to push forward the development of the SCO.

The prime ministers said they were very satisfied with the current talks, noting the documents they signed have laid down a solid foundation for the SCO to conduct more cooperation and designate the direction for future development of the SCO.

They also expressed full confidence in the future of the SCO, noting that they were willing to implement the consensus the heads of state of the SCO had reached, so as to make the SCO play a vital role in maintaining the stability and prosperity in the region.

The prime ministers also said their respective nations are willing to enhance cooperation with China in various fields including energy and transportation.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2003)