OREANDA-NEWS. August 28, 2008. The presidents of Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, China and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in a restricted format. They were then joined by representatives of observer countries – India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan – and the summit’s distinguished guests.

The summit participants discussed the prospects for developing trade and economic cooperation as well as their partnership in the cultural and educational spheres, issues surrounding the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and transnational crime, as well as the political and legal aspects of SCO expansion.

Following the meeting several documents on cooperation within the SCO framework were signed, as well as a joint communiquй and Dushanbe Declaration. The summit participants introduced a separate point in the Declaration concerning South Ossetia: SCO members expressed their concern over the tensions in and around South Ossetia and support for Russia’s role in promoting peace and cooperation in the region.

Dmitry Medvedev then answered journalists’ questions.