MOSCOW, May 23 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, ratified on Friday a treaty on long-term cooperation between member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The SCO, a regional bloc comprising Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, primarily addresses security issues, but has recently moved to embrace various economic and social projects.
The treaty was signed in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's capital, at a meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in August 2007.
The agreement is aimed at developing strategic partnership relations between members to strengthen peace, security and stability, expand economic cooperation, and improve contracts in culture, education, healthcare and science.
