In an effort to facilitate trade and boost regional economies the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Eurasian Economic Community (EEC) are to enhance energy and transport cooperation. 

The SCO, which includes China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday with the EEC whose members include Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The two groups will promote exchanges and cooperation in such fields as trade, energy, environmental protection, transport, communication, investment, tourism, education, healthcare, sports, science and technology.

"We agreed to give priority to energy cooperation which is of common concern and important for regional development," said Zhang Deguang, SCO secretary-general.

He said the two organizations have had "primary" discussions on this subject and some proposals had been discussed including cooperation in building hydro-power stations in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The upgrading of oil and natural gas pipelines had also been discussed.

Details of these proposals were left for the experts to consider, he said.

The two organizations will also cooperate in improving a regional transport system to facilitate trade between Asia and Europe. The EEC will launch a pilot project on container transportation among its member countries this year to identify any particular problems.

(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2006)