The six-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organization has concluded its one-day summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, amid calls from two of its energy-rich members for the creation of an Asian energy club. VOA correspondent Peter Fedynsky reports, from the Kyrgyz capital, the summit's call for a multilateral approach to global problems is an indirect reaction to American influence, around the world.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is scheduled to begin its largest military exercise on August 9. The counterterrorism exercise will involve some 6,500 troops from the organization's member states.

Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization say the regional grouping's activities are not directed against any third countries. Russian and Chinese Defense Ministers Anatoly Serdyukov and Cao Gangchuan made the comment today at a meeting of SCO defense ministers in Bishkek.

Kyrgyzstan's parliament has ratified an agreement on joint counterterrorism measures on the territory of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.