The friendship, good-neighborliness and cooperation treaty between the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was ratified by both houses of Russia’s parliament in May, RIA Novosti reported.

The SCO, a regional bloc comprising Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, primarily addresses security issues, but has recently moved to embrace various economic and social projects.

The bloc is seen as a counterweight to NATO’s influence in Eurasia.

The treaty was signed in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, at a meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in August 2007.

The agreement is aimed at developing strategic partnership relations between members to strengthen peace, security and stability, expand economic cooperation, and improve contracts in culture, education, healthcare and science.