Participants exchanged views on the experience of ASEAN countries in the area of national economic development, including trade, investment, infrastructure development, innovation technologies and transport. In October 2007, SOZ signed an agreement with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (OVKS) in the Tajik capital, Duschanbe, to expand cooperation in areas such as security, crime and drug trafficking. [46] In 2008, NTA members agreed on a cooperation agreement on offences related to arms trafficking, including the harmonisation of national legislation, the development of common counter-measures and the exchange of relevant information and expertise, joint research and training assistance. It was extended in 2010 to the illicit production and trade of arms, ammunition, explosive devices and substances. In 2009, SOZ members adopted an action plan with Afghanistan in which they committed themselves to jointly combating illegal trade, including in the investigation of criminal cases and the collection of evidence. In the joint statement of the SOZ and the United Nations Secretariat (2010), members committed themselves to cooperate in the fight against arms trafficking. It was stressed that such a format would allow both sides to discuss issues of mutual interest and learn about the benefits and capabilities of other participants when it comes to increasing trade and investment between Member States. Li had a different attitude. “We are open to cooperation and we are ready to discuss the creation of a free trade area. This will help reduce barriers to trade. They hinder the development of countries and the global economy,” he said, according to 24.kg, a Kyrgyz news site.
As free trade entered Chinese media summaries of the meeting, security made headlines. Given that two months ago a suicide bomber attacked the Chinese embassy in Buchkek, the focus on security was far from surprising. As Joshua Kucera detailed for EurasiaNet, the version of events exposed in the Chinese media shows that Beijing is taking the lead “and a Kyrgyzstan that was trying to make China happy.” Kucera notes that recent developments in this case have had little success, but have further tarnished the image. . . .