He made the remarks in a joint interview with major Chinese media just ahead of the June 15 summit in Shanghai.

SCO INDISPENSABLE FOR REGIONAL SECURITY, STABILITY

In the interview, Bakiyev said the SCO was an indispensable multilateral organization for securing regional security and stability.

The SCO has drawn world attention since its establishment, and is regarded as a multilateral organization with the brightest prospects for development and has great political and economic potentials, the president said.

Playing an irreplaceable role in regional security and stability, the SCO is also an effective mechanism for boosting mutual trust, good neighborliness and cooperation in all fields among its member states, he said.

Economic cooperation is a key factor in consolidating the SCO, Bakiyev said, adding that China's offer of a loan of 900 million US dollars on favorable terms for other SCO member states has created good conditions for strengthening multilateral cooperation within the SCO framework.

Continuing work to improve the judicial foundation is an important aspect on the SCO's agenda, he said.

By establishing an effective mechanism of coordination with the SCO observers to enable all of the SCO member states and the observers to participate in large-scale economic cooperative programs, the activities of the organization will become more practical, the president said.

He said the prospects for the SCO were extremely broad with great tasks and high ambitions, such as coping with international threats and challenges, launching the fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism, deepening cooperation in economy and trade, improving people's living standards, securing social and political stability as well as extending cooperation in technology, science and education.

The upcoming SCO summit in Shanghai will be of great importance as it will mark the fifth anniversary of the SCO establishment, sum up past experiences, set priorities for the future and appoint new leaders for its permanent body, the president said.

Kyrgyzstan will make continuous contributions to the development of the SCO, Bakiyev pledged, saying that strengthening Kyrgyzstan's ties with the SCO matches the country's diplomatic priorities and national interests.

SATISFIED WITH TIES, COOPERATION WITH CHINA

When asked about the Kyrgyz-China relations, Bakiyev said he was satisfied with the current constructive and mutually trustful relations with China and has expressed hope the two nations could deepen their long-term, stable and mutually-beneficial partnership.

He said the high-level mutual trust between the two countries, which share a borderline of more than 1,000 km, has increasingly injected vitality into the development of bilateral ties.

The two countries have supported each other over such key issues as sovereignty and territorial integrity and national security, and shared positions on many important political issues and on international economic cooperation, he said.

Kyrgyzstan hopes that ties between the two countries will achieve progress in such multilateral organizations as the United Nations and the SCO, he said.

Economic cooperation should take a priority, the president said,noting that in recent years, bilateral economic and trade cooperation had developed rapidly in many fields, while China had invested more and more heavily in Kyrgyzstan.

A joint cement plant bears witness to the economic cooperation between the two countries, he noted.

The sound political relations and the signed documents on cooperation have laid foundation for the rapid development of bilateral ties, he said, adding that Kyrgyz-China relations enjoy great potentials for development.

KYRGYZSTAN HOPES SCO CAN PLAY BIGGER ROLE IN COMBATING TERROR

Bakiyev also hopes the SCO can play a bigger role in combating international terrorism which still threatens the Central Asia region.

He said terrorists wanted to destroy the peace and stability of Central Asian countries, so the SCO member nations should be fully prepared for any attacks.

The six members should carry out all kinds of measures to crackdown on international terrorist activities and strengthen cooperation between border control and security sectors, and most importantly, work out a mechanism of cooperation.

When asked about how Kyrgyzstan will cooperate with China in fighting the so-called "three evil forces" -- terrorism, extremism and separatism, Bakiyev said the two countries had signed a series of documents in this field and set up a relevant mechanism of cooperation.

The SCO member states all hope that the Tashkent-based SCO regional anti-terror center will play a more active role in the crackdown on the three forces and drugs trafficking.

Queried about his prospect for his upcoming visit to China, Bakiyev said Kyrgyz-China relations were on solid ground and had a bright outlook.

Kyrgyzstan highly evaluates China's role in world affairs and is willing to learn and draw from China's successful experience in its economic and social development.

He said he expected to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao with whom he would discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and world hotspot issues of common concern.

He hoped the visit would become a milestone in bilateral ties.

The SCO, founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, with a view to promoting regional security and fighting terrorism, groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The SCOhas accepted Mongolia, Iran, Pakistan and India as observers.