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SCO issues joint communique
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-28 22:23

A team of experts on international information security have achieved fruitful results in implementing an SCO action plan passed last year.

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It is necessary to work out an inter-governmental accord on the international information security within the organization, so as to establish a legal basis for SCO members' cooperation in this field.

On the fight against drug trafficking, the heads of state called on SCO members to fulfill an agreement on their cooperation in this area.

They ordered chiefs of SCO members' anti-drug agencies to hold a special meeting in the first half of next year, so as to discuss the establishment of an anti-drug mechanism within the organization and work out a strategy and plans on combating the trafficking of drugs from Afghanistan.

On SCO members' cooperation in this field, the heads of state emphasized the role of a liaison group between the organization and Afghanistan.

On promotion of international exchange

The SCO members signed treaties on the holding of the anti-terrorism drill, the crackdown on illegal trafficking of arms, ammunition and explosives. They also signed a memorandum on the partnership between SCO Bank Syndicate and European and Asian Development Bank.

On the promotion of international exchanges, the leaders agreed to boost SCO's cooperation with observers -- India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan -- by taking their interests into considerations.

The SCO leaders also approved the SCO Dialogue Partnership Protocol,   creating the basis for mutually-beneficial cooperation with other countries and international organizations.

The leaders also decided to set up a special expert team to consider the issues related to the expansion of the organisation.

On trade, economic cooperation

According to the leaders, trade and economic cooperation, including facilitation of investment, transportation, modern telecommunication, maintained good momentum of development.