SCO Best Choice in Fighting Region's Terrorism: Kyrgyz President

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, January 18, 2002

SCO Best Choice in Fighting Region's Terrorism: Kyrgyz President

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Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev on Thursday praised the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a pragmatic regional organization capable of maintaining security and stability in the region it covers.

The SCO is a "pragmatic" body that can ensure peace, security and stability in the region through effective joint efforts against terrorism, separatism and extremism, which pose a real security threat to the region, Akayev said during talks with visiting Chinese State Councilor Ismail Amat.

In the long run, countries in the region should rely on themselves in cracking down on the terrorist, separatist and extremist forces, Akayev said, adding that the SCO is the best choice in the endeavor.

The SCO was launched in June 2001, grouping China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

President Akayev also reiterated his country's support for China's stand against the "East Turkistan" terrorist forces, which, trained, armed and financed by international terrorist organizations, are responsible for a series of terrorist acts within and outside China.

On his part, Amat expressed the hope for closer ties between China and the central Asian country. He said combating terrorism is in the interests of both countries and called for closer cooperation in the effort.

Amat is on a tour of Central Asia to attend celebrations in the region's five countries marking the 10th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations with China.

He arrived here Wednesday after paying a three-day visit to Kazakhstan at the head of a Chinese government delegation. He left Beijing on January 13 and the tour will also take him to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

In Kazakhstan, which is China's second largest trading partner within the Commonwealth of Independent States, Amat held talks with Kazakh Prime Minister Kasymzhomart Tokayev which focused on ways to expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The two pledged their countries' efforts to enhance cooperation within the framework of the SCO in fighting terrorism.

The two sides also agreed to keep contact and continue to exchange views on the situation in Central Asia and on the Afghan issue.

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