Economic cooperation between SCO members requires a reconciled approach

Economic cooperation between member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization requires a reconciled approach to a number of key issues, said Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev, addressing the summit meeting of the SCO.

According to Akayev, this goes mainly for fuel, energy and water resources, as well as for fair competition and removal of trade barriers. The parties will also have to reconcile their policies in respect of the transport complex, said the Kyrgyz president, who proposed that transport ministers from the SCO meet for this purpose in Kyrgyzstan in September, 2002.

Accession to the World Trade Organization is yet another important issue, remarked Akayev.

He suggested that the parties expand regional cooperation, and proposed holding a world forum on all-round development of countries and regions in Kyrgyzstan in 2003.