Beijing: The Prime Ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on September 23 started talks in Beijing to find ways to jointly tackle terrorism and boost regional economic cooperation and development.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who is hosting the one-day meeting of the Prime Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), warmly welcomed his counterparts from five neighbouring nations.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, Tajik Prime Minister Akil Akilov, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev, Kazakh Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov and Uzbek Prime Minister Utkur Sultanov are attending the meeting that will discuss SCO organisation mechanism building and regional economic cooperation.

Before they opened formal talks, the six Prime Ministers engaged in small-group talks. Details of their discussion are not known.

The SCO, a largely Chinese initiative, was established on June 15, 2001 to deal with terrorism in Central Asia region as well as to promote regional security, stability and economic development.

China and Russia also hope to use the SCO to keep the United States out of Central Asia. Washington, which has gained access to the vital Central Asian region in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks and the war on Afghanistan, has established a firm foothold in Uzbekistan.

After the SCO meeting, Russian Prime Minister Kasyanov will pay an official visit to China from September 24 to 25.

PTI