China, Russia and other members of a regional security group pledged Wednesday to work together to combat the global economic crisis and find ways to increase cooperation on financial issues, AP reported. A document signed at the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization said the group's members should focus on a joint response to the global financial crisis and a common post-crisis strategy. «We must use the potential of our cooperation for post-crisis development,» said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. «The crisis has acted like a catalyst for the reform of the international financial system, and our organization must take part in that,» he said. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao voiced hope the meeting created «a unique opportunity for exchanging opinions and working out a specific plan.» «China pays great attention to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The meeting has shown that the countries of the region are deeply interested in expanding mutual cooperation for the stake of long-term stable development,» Wen said. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are also members of the group. The members pledged to create a fund to boost transportation and telecommunication links, although no details were immediately given. The agreement called for finance ministers and central bank governors from the countries to meet later this year in Kazakhstan to discuss trade and using each other's currencies in inter-group trade.
