The Uzbek side informed us about the priorities and measures to be taken during Uzbekistan’s presidency of the Organization in 2009 and 2010. The plan is to lay emphasis on the development of economic cooperation, the expansion of the SCO’s external links and the strengthening of cooperation in guaranteeing security and stability in the region.

The Russian side confirmed its willingness to cooperate closely with its Uzbek partners on solving these tasks.

The consultations took place in a friendly, business-like atmosphere and confirmed the broad convergence of the two countries’ positions on improving the organization’s activities and consolidating the SCO in the future, and increasing its international authority.

The SCO unites Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and China. Uzbekistan took over the presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from the Russian Federation in June 2009.