Heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members sent congratulatory messages to the first Secretary-General of the SCO Secretariat Zhang Deguang on the establishment of the secretariat.  

In the message from Chinese President Hu Jintao: The secretariat, as the permanent administrative organ of the SCO, will play a key role in ensuring the effective operation, cooperation and external exchange of the SCO.

The inauguration of the secretariat is a major event in the development of the SCO and marks a new phase of its building and growth, Hu said. China, as the host country of the secretariat, will provide the necessary facilities and assistance in the operation of the secretariat and stands ready to work with other member states to take the SCO forward, and make it a bond of friendship and cooperation for all member states and an important force for peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large.

In the message from Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev: Kazakhstan attaches great importance to SCO. It is one of the prioritized strategies of the Kazakh foreign policy to help the organization establish itself as an authoritative international organization as soon as possible. The active and constructive work of member states of SCO will be an important element in maintaining regional and global security and facilitating multilateral economic and trade cooperation. The launching of the Secretariat will create favorable conditions for a new regional cooperation system based upon equality and mutual benefits and closer coordination between countries in the region.

In the message from Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev: The establishment of SCO Secretariat in Beijing and the appointment of a PRC representative as the first Secretary-General reflect the general recognition by all parties of China's important role as an initiator and an active institution builder of the Organization. Kyrgyzstan highly values SCO and regards it as an important mechanism to ensure peace, stability and development in Eurasia. SCO's establishment is a timely step that adapts to the profound changes in the international situation and conforms to the need to establish a fair and rational new international political and economic order featuring equality, mutual benefit and security for all.

In the message from Russian President Vladimir Putin: It is unprecedented and greatly significant that we have completed the SCO mechanism in such a short period of time. This testifies strongly to the correctness of the principles equality and consensus-building. The SCO member states firmly resolve to make the organization an effective mechanism for cooperation in all fields for the benefit of peace, stability and the well-being of their people. The historic mission of the SCO, which is to serve as a bridge between the European and Asian continents, has been determined by the unique geopolitical position of member states of SCO, its advocacy of respect for diversity in culture, belief and tradition, its openness and its commitment to develop extensive international cooperation. The Russian Federation will spare no effort to support further strengthening of the SCO and make it an important part of the multilateral security and development system at both regional and global level.

In the message from Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov: Tajikistan has high hopes for the Secretariat in doing an effective work to fulfill the SCO's purposes and tasks and improve its international standing. Tajikistan stands ready to develop fruitful cooperation with the Secretariat.

In the message from Uzbek President Islam Karimov: Uzbekistan attaches great importance to developing cooperation within the framework of SCO, which has become an important part of the emerging global security guarantee system. Its importance is demonstrated by the recognition by some major international organizations and the cooperation intent expressed by some big countries.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2004)