Russia, Central Asian countries, central and western China are all located in the heartland of Eurasian Continent. Despite their different environment, economic development, cultural traditions and religions, governments of those countries and regions all consider opening-up to the outside world, encouraging foreign direct investment, and exploring the international market as the important strategies to accelerate economic recovery and development in recent years. As the five Central Asian countries are more integrated into global economy, their trade volume and cooperation with East Asia, Southeast Asia, and western countries stay on the rising path. In particular, China has developed a stable economic cooperation with those five countries, as evidenced by the increasing trade volume by a large margin.
The establishment of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in June 2006 has paved the way for a new regional economic landscape in Central Asia. The documents signed at the meeting of prime ministers in September, 2001 aimed to facilitate trade and investment of this region. When the prime ministers of SCO member states met in Beijing in September, 2003, they put forward the idea of cooperation for a free trade area (FTA) among the six countries. A year later, nine resolutions, including Implementing Measures and Plans on the Outline of Multilateral Economic and Trade Cooperation among Member States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, were adopted at the prime minister meeting. That package of plans encompassed 127 projects and 11 sectors covering trade and investment, customs, quality inspection and quarantine, communications, energy, information and so on. At the SCO summit in July, 2005, leaders identified the policy in which through enhanced mutual trust, solidarity and cooperation, the member states should translate the potential cooperation into practical achievements as quickly as possible, inject more investment, carry out the outline of multilateral economic and trade cooperation and its implementing measures and plans with priority, and finally explore a cooperative mold integrating multilateral and bilateral cooperation with governments and enterprises as its major players. Thanks to this policy, regional cooperation has enjoyed a good momentum.
In order to follow through the important instruction of “ translating the potential cooperation into practical achievements as quickly as possible” proposed at the SCO summit meeting, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and China Development Bank reached consensus to build up a platform for economic cooperation and exchange between Central Asia and Russia. In particular, SCO initiated the first Euro-Asia Economic Forum shortly after it had solicited the opinions from member states. This proposal was embraced by its member states. In the communiqué of SCO Leader’s Council at Moscow issued in October 2005, Prime Ministers commended that holding the Euro-Asia Economic Forum in Xi’an in November 2005, which was proposed by the SCO secretariat, Asia-Pacific Economic and Social Council, and China Development Bank, would be a timely and beneficial event. Meanwhile, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin also agreed.
Under the tremendous support of the Chinese government and People’s Government of Shaanxi Province, the first Euro-Asia Economic Forum was held in Xi’an on 10-11 November, 2005, welcoming approximately 1000 high-profile participants. Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, HE Mr. Wu Bangguo, Prime Minister of Tajikistan, HE Mr. Akil Akilov, and Vice Chairman of the Federal Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia, HE Mr. D.F. Mezentsev were among the high dignitaries of the SCO attending the forum. Besides, there was a big gathering of more than 30 ministers from SCO member states and observer states, former statesmen, representatives from international organizations, experts and scholars, and acknowledged global business leaders. At the Forum, in-depth and productive discussions were made to address the regional concerns such as Energy, Tourism along the Silk Road, Development Financing, and Local Cooperation between Provinces and Municipalities. Many constructive proposals on how to further promote the cooperative programs were also put forward. The Prime Ministers of the six SCO members, while paying tribute to the contribution of the Forum in their joint communiqué on September 15, 2006, also suggested that “the Forum, as an important communication platform for the government, entrepreneurial and financial communities of SCO member states, be also open to business, social and cultural area representatives from other countries.”
With a view to consolidating the results achieved in the first Euro-Asia Economic Forum and enhancing pragmatic cooperation among Central Asian Countries, SCO and its related institutions suggest this forum become a biennial event with Xi’an as its designated meeting venue. Permanent working group will be established for daily liaison and follow-up activities. This forum will center on countries of Eurasian continent, including SCO member states, its observer states, and countries in inner Asia and East Asia. Aiming to deepen exchanges, broaden horizons and expand the fields of cooperation, this forum will serve as a high-level platform for result-oriented exchange and cooperation among governments, business and academia in this region, economically and culturally.
