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==Agenda==
==Agenda==
The agenda included discussions about the [[2011-2012 Syrian uprising]] and criticism by the [[Western world]] of Russia and China's approach towards sanctioning the [[government of Syria]].<ref name="aljaz"/> Host President Hu Jintao also said that the SCO would support a new security concept that would give its member states full control over maintaining its own interests, development trajectories according to each states' conditions and to counter "interventionism."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/China/SCO-against-interventionism-says-Chinese-president/Article1-866654.aspx |title=SCO against interventionism, says Chinese president |publisher=Hindustan Times |date= |accessdate=2012-06-06}}</ref>
The agenda included discussions about the [[2011-2012 Syrian uprising]] and criticism by the [[Western world]] of Russia and China's approach towards sanctioning the [[government of Syria]].<ref name="aljaz"/> Host President Hu Jintao also said that the SCO would support a security concept giving its member states full control over maintaining its own interestsin accordance with individual conditions and would also seek to counter "interventionism."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/China/SCO-against-interventionism-says-Chinese-president/Article1-866654.aspx |title=SCO against interventionism, says Chinese president |publisher=Hindustan Times |date= |accessdate=2012-06-06}}</ref>


Rules for the admission of further member states were expected to be issued. Turkey was considered as joining in the form of a "dialogue partner" and Afghanistan could join as an "observer." China did not object to either states citing their status as "NATO-friendly countries." Afghanistan is currentl involved as part of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group, which is working to reconstruct Afghanistan.<ref name="toi"/> However, Vice Foreign Minister [[Cheng Guoping]] said the observers were unlikely to become full members at the moment as there were expectations for more "preparatory work," though the current members would maintain an "open attitude...The relevant countries should work hard towards political, legal and technical preparations for [membership]. The relevant work is going on about expansion of membership. The decision should be made through consensus and consultation, and no timetable should be set. That is to say, when the conditions are ripe, the decision should be made through consensus." The founding ethos for the SCO, [[counter-terrorism]] is also expected to be high on the agenda.<ref name="hundi"/>
Rules for the admission of further member states were expected to be issued. Turkey was considered as joining in the form of a "dialogue partner" and Afghanistan could join as an "observer." China did not object to either states citing their status as "NATO-friendly countries." Afghanistan is currentl involved as part of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group, which is working to reconstruct Afghanistan.<ref name="toi"/> However, Vice Foreign Minister [[Cheng Guoping]] said the observers were unlikely to become full members at the moment as there were expectations for more "preparatory work," though the current members would maintain an "open attitude...The relevant countries should work hard towards political, legal and technical preparations for [membership]. The relevant work is going on about expansion of membership. The decision should be made through consensus and consultation, and no timetable should be set. That is to say, when the conditions are ripe, the decision should be made through consensus." The founding ethos for the SCO, [[counter-terrorism]] is also expected to be high on the agenda.<ref name="hundi"/>

Revision as of 02:54, 6 July 2012

2012 SCO summit
Host countryChina China
Date6–7 June 2012
CitiesBeijing

The 2012 SCO summit was the 12th annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Background

At the previous summit in Kazakhstan, new rules in regards to the admission of more member states were discussed, with the details expected to be clarified at this summit.[1]

Attending delegations

The heads of state of the five countries participated in the summit.

The other state delegations are led by:

The Putin-led Russian delegation included: Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov[11] and five other cabinet ministers[which?] and the head of Gazprom, Viktor Zubkov, as well from other energy companies.[which?][12] The delegation was welcomed by Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun.[13]

Agenda

The agenda included discussions about the 2011-2012 Syrian uprising and criticism by the Western world of Russia and China's approach towards sanctioning the government of Syria.[5] Host President Hu Jintao also said that the SCO would support a security concept giving its member states full control over maintaining its own interestsin accordance with individual conditions and would also seek to counter "interventionism."[14]

Rules for the admission of further member states were expected to be issued. Turkey was considered as joining in the form of a "dialogue partner" and Afghanistan could join as an "observer." China did not object to either states citing their status as "NATO-friendly countries." Afghanistan is currentl involved as part of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group, which is working to reconstruct Afghanistan.[1] However, Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping said the observers were unlikely to become full members at the moment as there were expectations for more "preparatory work," though the current members would maintain an "open attitude...The relevant countries should work hard towards political, legal and technical preparations for [membership]. The relevant work is going on about expansion of membership. The decision should be made through consensus and consultation, and no timetable should be set. That is to say, when the conditions are ripe, the decision should be made through consensus." The founding ethos for the SCO, counter-terrorism is also expected to be high on the agenda.[8]

Other issues suggested for discussion were a bigger role for SCO after NATO wthdraws its forces following the War in Afghanistan[8] (which could be enhanced by Afghanistan's acceptance as an observer[15] and Iran's nuclear programme, for which a statement criticising further Western sanctions would be issued. Cheng also said an inter-governmental agreement on road transport is due to be signed, along with the continuation of discussions on the establishment of a financing safeguard mechanism and a regional development bank.[8]

Non-member initiatives

India sought to work with the Uzbekistan-based Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure, participating in discussions with the trade ministers and coordinate work with the SCO over Afghanistan, more so after the announced phased withdrawal of ISAF troops from that country, in what Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the "economic and political revival of Afghanistan."[15]

Schedule

On 6 June, a group meeting between the six member states was scheduled in Beijing. The next day a larger meeting, business summit and a signing ceremony to conclude the summit is expected.[8]

Discussions

At the start of the summit, Hu said: "We will continue to manage regional affairs by ourselves, guarding against shocks from turbulence outside the region. We will play a bigger role in Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction. We'll strengthen communication, co-ordination and co-operation in dealing with major international and regional issues."[16]

Conclusions

Host leader Hu Jintao announced the conclusions to the summit as including:[17]

  • Afghanistan and Turkey were included in the roles they were expected to have done as observer and dialogue partner, respectively.
  • Vows to foster and facilitate trad and investment.
  • Vows to enhance cooperation in the finance, transportation, energy, telecommunications and agriculture sectors in line with a furtherance of regional economic development
  • Pursue the exstablishment of a Special Account and Development Bank.
  • Approval of a development strategic plan.
  • Vows to increase capacity to deal with crises situations such as terrorism, separatism, extremism and transnational crime and make the SCO a "reliable guarantor of regional security."
  • Agreement on the necessity to enhance cultural and educational exchanges and create opportunities for more people-to-people contact.
  • Further cooperation with observer states and dialogue partners, the United Nations and other affiliates, including international and regional organisations.

Ten agreements were signed, including the Declaration on Building a Region with Lasting Peace and Common Prosperity, the Strategic Plan for the Medium-Term Development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and regulating the SCO response mechanism to regional security threats. Hu then told the summit delegations that "we should enhance consultations with international and regional organizations through the platform to safeguard peace, promote development and boost world multipolarization and democratization of international relations." Kyrgyzstan would be the take over the rotating presidency the next day.[17]

Bilateral meetings

The day prior to the commencement of the summit featured Russian President Vladimir Putin and host President Hu Jintao present for the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements in the fields of energy, industry, innovation technologies and tourism, as well the an agreement to deepen China-Russia relations and strategic cooperation.[18] Putin was scheduled to meet China's chairman of the Committee of the National People's Congress Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice President Xi Jinping and Vice Premier Li Keqiang. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Putin decision to come to China as part of one of his foreign visits as president was indicative of burgeoning relations between the two countries.[19] China's Wen Jiabao met Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev and discussed Kyrgyzstani stability and development. Wen said that the two states would work towards developing infrastructure in railways, energy and trade relations with an increase in the exchange of persons between the two countries. Atambayev added that he appreciated China's support and that Kyrgyzstan was working to enhance cooperation with China in the spheres trade, transportation, energy, agriculture and security.[4] Hu also met Kazakhstan's Nursultan Nazarbayev with him whom he pledged to enhance their "strategic partnership."[20] Nazarbayev also met Jinping.[21] The same pledges were made by Hu with Tajikistan's Emomali Rahmon, specifically in the sectors of energy, resources, infrastructure, agriculture and security.[22] Rahmon also said that China National Petroleum Corporation was invited to explore for both crude oil and natural gas in Tajikistan following the signing of an agreement on 5 June. He also signed an agreement with China for a US#50 million loan for a road construction project, as well as inviting Zijin Mining Group Company Limited to explore for copper.[23]

Afghani President Hamid Karzai said that Afghanistan and China would sign a preliminary agreement for the "creation of a strategic partnership" and work towards deepening relations.[16] Putin was also scheduled to meet with his Iranian[24] and Afghani counterparts.[5] The latter two would also hold talks with their Chinese counterpart.[8] Indian Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna is scheduled to meet Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang[1] to discuss border issues and the incarcaration of Indian nationals in China.[25]

Reactions

Al Jazeera asked if the budding relationship between China and Russia would be akin to a "NATO of the east."[26]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Ananth Krishnan (5 June 2012). "China wary, India bides time on SCO". Indian Express. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  2. ^ "SCO against interventionism: Chinese President". Zeenews.com. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  3. ^ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-06/06/content_15480301.htm
  4. ^ a b "Chinese premier meets Kyrgyz president". News.xinhuanet.com. 30 November 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  5. ^ a b c "China defends stance with Russia on Syria". Al Jazeera English. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  6. ^ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-06/05/c_131632340.htm
  7. ^ "Uzbek president arrives in Beijing for China visit, SCO summit". News.xinhuanet.com. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Ananth Krishnan (23 May 2012). "Observer countries 'must work hard' for SCO membership, says China". The Hindu. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  9. ^ "Hu Jintao holds talks with Mongolian president". News.xinhuanet.com. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
  10. ^ "Turkmen president arrives for SCO summit". News.xinhuanet.com. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  11. ^ "Russian President Vladimir Putin, third right, and his delegation meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and his staff, unseen, after a welcoming ceremony for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday, June 5, 2012". Firstpost.com. 23 February 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  12. ^ Wang Zhicheng (5 June 2012). "Vladimir Putin in Beijing with Eurasian trade in mind". AsiaNews.it. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  13. ^ "Putin arrives in Beijing for state visit, SCO summit (2)". English.peopledaily.com.cn. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  14. ^ "SCO against interventionism, says Chinese president". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  15. ^ a b "India to flex some muscle at SCO summit". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  16. ^ a b "China's Hu sees regional role in Afghanistan". Al Jazeera English. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  17. ^ a b http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-06/07/c_131637206.htm
  18. ^ "State visit to China". President of Russia. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  19. ^ "Putin arrives in Beijing for state visit, SCO summit". Globaltimes.cn. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  20. ^ Post comments:. "China, Kazakhstan vow to enhance strategic partnership". Newstrackindia.com. Retrieved 6 June 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  21. ^ "Chinese vice president meets Kazakh president on bilateral ties - Xinhua | English.news.cn". News.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  22. ^ "Closer ties with Central Asia|Nation". chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  23. ^ "Tajikistan invites CNPC to explore for oil and gas". Reuters. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  24. ^ "Putin to meet Iran's Ahmadinejad in China: Kremlin". Times of India. 3 June 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  25. ^ "SM Krishna to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China today". Ndtv.com. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  26. ^ http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2012/06/20126783558530464.html
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