DUSHANBE, August 17, Asia-Plus – Itar Tass -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged SCO member-states to step up humanitarian contacts within the SCO framework and to create the SCO University.

“It is necessary to make a headway in the development of humanitarian contacts within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” he said at the SCO summit in Bishkek on Thursday.

“I believe that CIS’ experience and opportunities would contribute to this. I mean multilateral projects in culture, science and education and youth cooperation with the operating structures, such as the interstate fund for humanitarian cooperation of the CIS,” Putin said.

“In this context the creation of the SCO University is a very important theme. The university would comprise a network of educational institutions with coordinated curriculum,” he said.

“Education ministries can study the issue to submit it to the council of heads of state for consideration,” Putin said.