MOSCOW, October 26 (RIA Novosti) - The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has moved beyond the range of its initial goals, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday at a meeting with SCO heads of government in Moscow.
"In 2006, we will mark the SCO's fifth anniversary," Putin said, adding that since it was formed, the organization has worked intensively to attain its goals.
He also pointed to the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between SCO member states.
SCO Executive Secretary Zhang Deguang said the organization had achieved definite progress. "The organization has great opportunities that we should make use of," he said.
The meeting focused mainly on economic issues.
Kazakh Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov said the SCO could become "a key link in the anti-terrorist coalition." "The fight against international terrorism needs substantial economic input," he said.
Head of the Chinese State Council Wen Jiabao said China would allocate "$900 million for export credit programs within the SCO framework."
Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Utkir Sultanov said the SCO should become "an important link of an inter-continental transport corridor." This would mean that "SCO member states will have favorable conditions to develop ties across the globe."
The Iranian First Vice President said, "Iran [as an observer at the SCO] is ready to develop relations with the SCO, and to propose practical means of cooperation to achieve its goals."
The SCO comprises Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have observer status.
The SCO government heads' summit, held in Moscow for the first time, was previously held in Alma Ata (2001), Beijing (2003), and Bishkek (2004).
