ALMA ATA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Economic and security cooperation take priority of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) after the legal framework has been completed, said K. Turubekov, professor with Uzbekistan's Institute of Oriental Studies.

　　In light of the fact that the SCO has formed a solid legal basis, the group should take economic, trade and security cooperation as a breakthrough point and tap potentials in transportation, energy, infrastructure and environmental protection, Turubekov said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

　　The SCO member states are making efforts to strengthen economic and trade cooperation bilaterally or within a multilateral framework, he said.

　　Over the past five years since the SCO's founding, the six member countries have been holding high the banner of peace, cooperation and joint development, made great achievements and demonstrated its vigor and efficiency, Turubekov said.

　　"In 2003, the SCO worked out a compendium for economic and trade cooperation. In 2004, the group outlined concrete plans for trade cooperation. Some Uzbek scholars believe the six SCO members will put the plans into practice one by one under the principles of equality and mutual benefit and in a progressive order," the professor said.

　　The SCO is an intergovernmental organization founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Its sixth annual summit meeting is scheduled to be held in Shanghai on Thursday. Enditem