President Jiang said that the most urgent thing at present is to set up a regional anti-terrorism mechanism among the six members of SCO as soon as possible, while meeting with foreign ministers attending the SCO foreign ministers' one-day irregular meeting held Monday in Beijing.  
Chinese President Jiang Zemin said Monday in Beijing that the most urgent thing at present is to set up a regional anti-terrorism mechanism among the six members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as soon as possible.

Jiang made the remarks while meeting with foreign ministers from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan who were in Beijing to attend the SCO foreign ministers' one-day irregular meeting held here Monday.

Present at the meeting were Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrisov, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Muratbek Yemanaliyev, Tajik Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov, and Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov, in additionto Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan.

Jiang spoke positively about the meeting, saying that the joint statement signed by the six foreign ministers revealed their common position and views and would help strengthen their cooperation and the SCO's role, as well as safeguard regional peace, security and stability. (More about the Joint Statement, SCO Vows to Fight Against Terrorism: Statement )

Jiang congratulated the foreign ministers on the success of the meeting.

Speaking of the international situation, Jiang pointed out thatthe "September 11" terrorist attacks showed that unstable elementsare increasing although the international situation is generally relaxing, and all countries realize that they should strengthen cooperation to safeguard their common security.

He stressed that the six countries should make great efforts toplay a bigger role in this regard and cooperate in safeguarding common interests.

Jiang further pointed out that the key to the role of the SCO, set up in June last year, is its self-construction, the unity and cooperation among its members, the acceleration of working out itsconstitution and the improvement of its cooperation and operation mechanisms.

Jiang also reiterated the Chinese government's principled stance on anti-terrorism and the Afghanistan issue.

The five ministers spoke highly of the friendly relations between their respective countries and China and said that the current situation has shown that the establishment of the SCO is far-sighted and it is playing an important role in fighting against terrorism and safeguarding regional peace and stability.

They noted that the meeting was a success and said they believethat the SCO, with joint efforts from all parties, has sound prospects for development.