The joint communique following the results of meeting of Ministers of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan

of March 30, 2000

According to the Bishkek declaration of heads of states of the Republic of Kazakhstan, People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan accepted on August 25, 1999, on March 30, 2000 in Astana the meeting of Ministers of Defence of the State Parties of "the Shanghai five" took place. Took part in it: Minister of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan lieutenant general S. B. Tokpakbayev, Minister of Defence of People's Republic of China colonel general Chi of Haotian, Minister of Defence of the Kyrgyz Republic lieutenant general E.T.Topoyev, Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation marshal of the Russian Federation I. D. Sergeyev, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Tajikistan colonel general Sh.Kh.Khayrulloyev.

1. Ministers of Defence of five states confirm that development of bonds in military-political area within "the Shanghai five" is performed taking into account interests of each other and the world around, is under construction on equal, confidential cooperation, the dispute resolution by means of friendly consultations. The friendly cooperation between five states is open and is not directed against any other state or group of the states.

The agreements reached by five countries in the field of boundary settlement and military trust represent the new concept about safety based on mutual advantage, mutual trust, equality and cooperation promote strengthening of mutual understanding and neighborliness, make constructive contribution to ensuring stability in wide regional format.

2. Participants of the meeting note that agreements of five states on enforcement of trust in military area and about mutual reducing armed forces around border, signed in Shanghai and Moscow respectively in 1996 and 1997, for the first time create zone of trust and transparency, predictability and inspectability of military activities in border strip more than 7 thousand kilometers long and express strong commitment to strict carrying out in life of all provisions of the specified agreements.

Ministers of Defence with satisfaction state the successful beginning of work of the joint control group of representatives of five countries designed to provide the organization and coordination of inspection activities and consider useful to use possibilities of this group also for consideration of the questions connected with enforcement of trust in military area.

3. Ministers of Defence consider that the meeting of Ministers of Defence of five states within the mechanism of meetings of heads of states of "the Shanghai five" is important for implementation of the agreements reached by heads of five countries for development of mutual trust and friendly cooperation between five countries in military area, for common efforts in preservation of peace, stability and developments in this region.

4. Ministers of Defence supported further studying of possibility of strengthening of measures of trust in military area, strengthening of cooperation between boundary structures of five states, joint fight against illicit traffic of drugs, arms trafficking and other international crimes; for joint conducting exercises and the trainings directed to the prevention of dangerous military activities, fight against the international terrorism, assistance in natural disaster response; for experience exchange of peacekeeping activities and interaction in peace support operations; for joint holding of conferences, seminars, symposiums, sports competitions.

5. Ministers of Defence consider that in international situation there are deep changes, and there is more and more obvious tendency of multipolarity of the modern world. Promotion of further development of multipolar international structure will allow to provide in the long term stability of international situation, balance of interests of the different countries and to create more favorable conditions for social and economic development of the states of the world and regions.

Ministers of Defence consider that the hegemonism and power policies still threaten the peace and stability in the world. Each country shall observe strictly basic provisions and the principles of the Charter of the UN and other commonly accepted provisions of international law, to oppose resolutely intervention in internal affairs of other countries by any country under the pretext of protection of national, religious interests and human rights.

Achievement of lasting peace and prosperity in the 21st century requires establishment of new, peace, stable, fair and rational international political and economic procedure.

6. Ministers of Defence emphasized need of strengthening of non-proliferation regime of nuclear weapon and assistance to the fastest entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

7. Ministers of Defence confirmed support of the General Assembly resolution "About Preserving and Observance of the Agreement on Missile Defence" of 1999 again. The parties emphasized that this agreement is basis of strategic stability and important condition of development of process of global disarmament.

Ministers of Defence consider that placement of missile defense systems of TVD in the Pacific Rim can lead to violation of stability and safety in the region.

8. Participants of the meeting expressed support to initiative of the countries of Central Asia of creation in this region of the area, free from nuclear weapon (ZSYaO). Interest in that future agreement on ZSYaO answered the purpose of denuclearized zone that will provide it necessary international recognition, including from nuclear states was emphasized.

9. Having estimated situation in Central Asia and adjacent areas, Ministers of Defence stated that here the positive moments develop, the world and development remain the main current, but there are instability factors, and in general it remains difficult.

Religious extremism, national separatism, the international terrorism and other external factors created threat to tranquility and stability of Central Asia and adjacent regions.

Determination to consistently promote strengthening of safety in Central Asia founded on cooperation with the purpose of maintenance of lasting peace and which is not complicated by intervention of not regional forces was confirmed. For this purpose the parties will develop consultations and cooperation between defense structures of the State Parties of "the Shanghai five".

10. The parties expressed understanding and support of desire and efforts of the People's Republic of China for merging of the state, confirmed that in the world there is one China, and Taiwan is integral part of the territory of China. The parties support line item of China about objection against plans of inclusion of Taiwan in TVD missile defense system by any state in any form.

11. Ministers expressed deep concern in connection with the military opposition continuing in Afghanistan representing serious threat of regional and international stability.

Participants of the meeting are sharing the view that the Afghan problem as history showed, does not give in to the decision in the military way. Only political settlement taking interests of the main parts of the Afghan society into account is capable to bring the world.

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