DUSHANBE, September 26, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Energy ministers of China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan have adopted the Xi’an Initiative.

China’s Xinhua reports the Xi’an Initiative was adopted on September 24 on the sidelines of the Fourth Euro-Asia Economic Forum that took place in Xi’an, the capital of China’s northwest Shaanxi Province, from September 23 to September 24.

“Xi’an initiative,” said the participants recognized the need to accelerate the launch of the SCO Energy Club work to expand the energy strategy of the SCO member states, the exchange policy and security issues, the development of energy technology cooperation, training of energy professionals.

Participants stressed the importance of adhering to the “mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversified civilizations and common development” of the “Shanghai Spirit”, to carry out energy cooperation.  Energy Club is open to government organizations, multilateral energy discussion platform for government departments, research institutions and business groups.

We will recall that representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry announced at an international conference, The SCO: Results and Perspectives, in Almaty, Kazakhstan on November 30, 2006 that Russia is developing plans for an SCO “Energy Club.”  The need for this “club” was reiterated by Moscow at an SCO summit in November 2007.  Other SCO members, however, have not committed themselves to the idea.  However, the summit that took place in Dushanbe on August 28, 2008 stated that “Against the backdrop of a slowdown in the growth of world economy pursuing a responsible currency and financial policy, control over the capital flowing, ensuring food and energy security have been gaining special significance.”