SCO countries to develop cultural cooperation.

BISHKEK, June 25 (Itar-Tass) - Deepening of cultural interaction among member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a highly important and topical task, Igor Chudinov, Kyrgyzstan's prime minister, said here on Wednesday upon the conclusion of the fifth conference of ministers of culture of SCO countries.

He said a breakthrough that might give a fresh impetus to integration processes might take place in cultural cooperation in the SCO framework soon. "We should understand and appreciate culture of other counties and be able to use its best samples," Chudinov said.

He said in conditions of globalisation "preservation of cultural
originality is a very important task." Even though the prime minister
acknowledged that "culture cannot be completely rid of external
influence", he expressed confidence that SCO countries would be able not only to preserve but also to replenish their cultural heritage in this situation.

The ministerial meeting in the Kyrgyz capital discussed a number of clauses of the Bishkek Declaration aimed to step up cultural cooperation among SCO member countries.

Minister of Culture Alexander Avdeyev headed the Russian delegation at the meeting.