The upcoming 2006 summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) due to be held on Thursday in Shanghai contains positive meanings for the healthy and stable development of the situation in Central Asia, a Russian expert said.

"Based on the spirit of consultation, coordination and not targeting any third country, the SCO was established as an organization dedicated to promoting cooperation, understanding and stability among member states," said Mikhail Titarenko, head of the Far East Research Institute of the Russian Science Academy.

"The member states respect the choices of one another, learn from the others to the maximum extent, and seek common development in the political, economic and security field, which helps lift the SCO's prestige," Titarenko said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Reviewing the past five years since the founding of the organization, Titarenko said the group has moved from the period of talks to the period of actions. He cited the Russia-China joint military exercise conducted last year.

Regarding economic and trade cooperation, Titarenko said he believed the SCO member states should exploit more joint projects in the energy field.

Founded in Shanghai in 2001, the SCO comprises China, Russia and four Central Asian countries, namely, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The heads of state of the six member countries will attend this year's summit to mark the SCO's fifth anniversary, along with leaders or representatives from observer countries and international organizations that have ties with the regional group.

Source: Xinhua