Kazakhstan makes great contribution to development of good neighborhood, mutual understanding and constructive partnership within SCO - Secretary General Muratbek Imanaliyev
Mr. Muratbek Imanaliyev, how do you estimate the results of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization?
Chairmanship of the Republic of Kazakhstan became the most important stage in development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and ensured further quality content of its activities. More than 100 joint events were implemented within the SCO Action Plan for 2010-2011 initiated by the Kazakh side.
At the Astana Summit there was especially noted that over 10 years the Organization became a powerful factor in ensuring stability and security, strengthening solidarity in responding to common challenges, development of joint approaches to settling the situations that threaten peace and security in the SCO region.
What is the role of the Astana Declaration of the 10th anniversary of the SCO?
I would like to outline two most important documents adopted at the SCO Summit, which were response of the Organization to the current realities and challenges of the international situation. They are the Astana Declaration of the 10th anniversary of the SCO as well as the Anti-drug strategy of SCO member states for 2011-2016 and Programme of Action for its implementation.
The Astana Declaration of the 10th anniversary of the SCO became a very significant document, which contains agreed positions and evaluations of topical issues of the international and regional situation and defined the main landmarks for further development of multivector interaction of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Touching upon the Anti-drug strategy, it is aimed at strengthening practical interaction of the Organization member states for joint prevention of negative effect of drug menace in the SCO space.
Will the SCO expand?
At present the SCO experts continue to study a set of issues connected with expansion of the Organization, including coordination of necessary legal, administrative and financial arrangements for admission of new members.
In this context I would like to note that any country being a member of the SCO should make positive contribution to our Organization and to cooperation between the participating countries.
China took over presidency of the SCO. What events are planned for 2011-2012?
First of all, during the Chinese chairmanship, main efforts of the Organization will be focused on implementation of all goals and tasks set by the heads of state at the meetings.
At present the SCO Action Plan for 2012 is under development. I am confident that the Chinese chairmanship will strengthen success reached by our Organization and create favorable conditions for further progressive development of the countries of our region.
What measures does the Organization plans to take for strengthening the economic vector in the next decade?
The joint statement on the economic situation of the world and the SCO region adopted at the session of the Council of the SCO Heads of State in St.Petersburg demonstrates that in the conditions of instability of the world financial markets the SCO region remains steadiness and investment attractiveness.
I would like to note that at the Astana Summit the SCO heads of state paid special attention to necessity of further development of economic cooperation and achieved agreement on giving new impetus to this work.
In prospect main efforts of the SCO will be focused on elaboration and implementation of joint projects, first of all, in such spheres as transport, telecommunications, science and technologies, innovations, energy saving, agriculture, trade, tourism and other fields.
Besides, during the session the heads of state confirmed their support of creation of the SCO Special Account and the SCO Development Bank, which will promote practical implementation of joint economic projects.
Let me on behalf of the SCO Secretariat to congratulate the Kazakhstani people on the 20th anniversary of independence and wish health, welfare and further progress and prosperity to your country.
Over the years of independence Kazakhstan achieved significant success in formation and strengthening national statehood.
Being one of the founder countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Kazakhstan makes great contribution to development of the existing relations of good neighborhood, mutual understanding and constructive partnership within the SCO
Thank you for the interview!
