Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and the Secretary-General
of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Zhang Deguang, met
in Beijing on Monday to discuss increasing cooperation between the
two sides.
According to sources with the SCO, Musharraf said in the meeting
that Pakistan attaches great importance to the SCO and hopes to
become a full member of the organization as soon as possible.
Pakistan is ready to play a bigger role in cooperating within
the SCO framework, Musharraf was quoted as saying.
Regarding Pakistan's wish to become a full SCO member, Zhang
told the press after the meeting that relevant documents need to be
signed for the SCO to enlist new membership. Such a document has
not been produced yet, Zhang said.
"We will convey Pakistan's wish to become a full member of the
SCO to every member country," Zhang noted.
Pakistan plays a "great role" in fighting international
terrorism, and also in the development of economical and cultural
ties between the countries in this region, Zhang said.
"We attach particular importance to the interaction between
Pakistan, an observer country for now, and the SCO," Zhang
stated.
Following discussions with Zhang, the president later met with a
Chinese business delegation led by Hu Deping, vice chairman of the
All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce.
The two sides exchanged views on promoting cooperation in fields
such as energy, communications, mechanical manufacturing,
agriculture and textiles.
(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2006)
