Beijing is hosting the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) today. Attendants discussed the global and regional situation and the means of fulfilling regional security. A declaration on building peace and joint prosperity was passed, reflecting the global and regional situation and approaches to SCO development in regional security and stability, economic and humanitarian affairs. The document touches upon the problems of Syria, Iranian nuclear program and anti-missile defenses, RIA Novosti reports.
The declaration warns against military intervention in Syria and emphasized the need to avoid violence. The crisis may only be resolved through dialogue.
The document states that using force against Iran may cause unpredictable repercussions and threatens security. All sides of conflict were urged to refrain from confrontation. They want negotiations of Iran and six mediators to continue.
Authors of the declaration proposed the formation of a nuclear-free zone in Middle Asia and urge the local states to sign an agreement on forming such zone.
Unilateral deployment of anti-missile defenses causes concerns of SCO and threatens international security and strategic stability.
The SCO summit resulted in the signing of 10 documents. They include the basic mid-term strategy of the SCO, political-diplomatic means and mechanisms of reaction, program for counter-terrorism cooperation for 2013-2015, a report of SCO secretary general rounding up the previous year, approval of the report of the regional counter-terrorist structure of 2011.
Afghanistan became an observer of the SCO, Turkey became a partner of dialogue.
Governor of the Irkutsk Region Dmitry Mezentsev became the SCO Secretary General, introduced by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zhan Singfen (China) became the Director of the Executive Committee for Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure of the SCO. They will stay in office from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015.
China passed chairmanship to Kyrgyzstan. The next summit is planned in Kyrgyzstan in 2013.
The SCO includes China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Have observer status, Mongolia, India, Iran and Pakistan. Mongolia, India, Iran and Pakistan are observers. Belarus and Sri Lanka are partners of dialogue. Afghan and Turkmen presidents attended the summit as observers.
