Kazakhstan, Astana, March 15 /Trend, A.Maratov/
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) discusses the creation of an Energy Club, SCO Secretary General Muratbek Imanaliev told reporters.
"Energy issues are one of the most important on the agenda of not only SCO, but also many other international organizations. Currently, the SCO discusses the idea of creating an Energy Club, which would help strengthen energy cooperation between the countries within the SCO," said Muratbek Imanaliev.
He said now discussion in conducted on the principles of its activities.
"It is known that the SCO countries are divided into two groups - the energy suppliers and consumers. And the task of the Energy Club is to serve the interests of these two groups," said Imanaliev.
The head of the SCO said to develop the principles of the Energy Club, are used the formed elements, which operate under the bilateral and trilateral agreements concluded between the SCO countries through economic and trade cooperation.
"Our attention includes such energy projects as the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline as it passes through the SCO countries, as well as pipelines from Kazakhstan to China and from Russia to China. And we give priority to these projects," he said.
Imanaliev said the SCO also supports such projects as construction of gas pipeline Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI), although it is not included in the zone of responsibility of the organization.
"TAPI is an interesting project. Such projects are important for all countries that participate in them. And we understand the importance of this project in resolving the Afghan problem," he said.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a regional international organization, founded in 2001 by the leaders of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.