Vladimir Putin: I would like to thank the President and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan for the opportunity to meet here in Astana, for their warm, open-armed welcome and the great working atmosphere that was created for us.

This meeting has been businesslike and constructive, truly in the spirit and traditions of the SCO. We have outlined our next steps to broaden trade, economic, and humanitarian cooperation, and promote collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

At the meeting all participants, including the observers, made many specific, interesting proposals, each one of which will be thoroughly reviewed and discussed. Virtually every speaker stressed the necessity to synchronise efforts to offset the negative impact of the global financial slowdown. This work is definitely in line with the SCO Dushanbe Declaration guidelines on the vital importance for SCO members to implement responsible fiscal and financial policies and monitor capital flows.

In addition, further strengthening of our business cooperation and implementation of major joint initiatives may be an important factor in maintaining sustainable economic development in the region.

While considering the changing realities, we have updated and approved the action plan to implement a multilateral trade and economic cooperation programme. The new version sets specific measures to further strengthen cooperation in various areas.

Special attention will be given to the support of major investment projects in developing infrastructure, construction, energy sector, transportation and hi-tech industries. Everyone expressed an interest in developing cooperation in these areas. China's Prime Minister confirmed that his country intends to further participate in such projects and in the funding of joint work.

I would like to specifically mention the Protocol signed in our presence by the customs services of the SCO member-states on the exchange of information on energy supply movement control. By introducing this mechanism, we will be able to ensure necessary coordination and streamline customs formalities and control on the borders of the SCO member states.

We have also signed a number of documents covering the fiscal and organisational aspects of our Organisation's operation, including next year's budget. We have agreed on how to further develop the SCO and given a general assessment of current global processes. All has been reflected in the final joint communiqué.

Finally, I want to stress that our meeting once again proved the great potential opportunities of the Organisation and its ability to provide a tangible and specific benefit to all member-states and observers, whose engagement in our work is welcome.

On the results of the Council meeting, the following resolutions were made:

- on an update of the action plan to implement the multilateral trade and economic cooperation programme;

- on the report of the SCO Secretariat on implementation of the multilateral trade and cooperation programme of the SCO member-states;

- on the SCO fiscal report on implementation of the 2007 budget;

- on the SCO budget for 2009;

- on redistribution of 2008 cost estimates of the SCO Secretariat and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure;

- on amending the Provision on allowances, guarantees and compensations to the staff of the SCO permanent bodies;

- on qualifying requirements for SCO Secretariat officials.

Heads of Government of the SCO member-states signed a joint communiqué on the results of the Council meeting.

In their presence, the officials of the SCO member-states' customs services signed a Protocol on the exchange of information on energy supply movement control.