The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is willing to promote exchanges and cooperation with other international organizations and countries including the European Union (EU), a senior SCO official said in Beijing Tuesday.  

SCO Secretary-General Zhang Deguang said his organization pursues a policy of peace, friendship and openness, during a meeting with Javier Solana, secretary general of the Council of the European Union.

The SCO is ready to conduct exchanges and cooperation with other international organizations and countries so as to promote regional and international peace and development, Zhang said.

Solana, also the representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, said he was pleased to have the chance to build direct contacts with the SCO and the EU was willing to maintain contacts with the SCO and explore the possibility of cooperation.

Zhang also briefed Solana on the SCO's efforts to crack down on terrorist activities and drug trafficking in recent years.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2004)