The Russian government approved a draft accord in Moscow Thursday on cooperation between member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in emergency situations.

The Russian government instructed the Emergency Situations Ministry and the Foreign Ministry to consult with other SCO members and sign the accord after reaching consensus on it, the Interfax News Agency reported.

The accord commits SCO members to mutual help and simplified entry procedures for rescue teams in case of emergencies to facilitate relief efforts. SCO members are also to exchange information and jointly work out response measures when emergencies arise.

Emergency relief experts from SCO member states discussed and mapped out the draft accord when they convened in Beijing in April 2003.

The SCO groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2005)