Senior officials and representatives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members take a group photo after the summit meeting July 5, 2005. (Xinhua Photo)

President Hu Jintao addresses the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) July 5, 2005. (Xinhua Photo)

    July 5, 2005 -- Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) , which groups China, Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, held their fifth summit in Astana, capital of Kazakh, to discuss measures to strengthen unity and further cooperation in economy, security and people-related affairs.

    The leaders agreed to grant SCO observer status to India, Iran and Pakistan. At the end of the summit, the heads of state issued a declaration on strengthening cooperation within the organization.

    At the summit, SCO member states signed agreements on fighting the three "evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism and on mutual help in emergency relief in disasters.