[Nethra K Putti]

1.MGC - MEKONG-GANGA COOPERATON

- [/b]the MGC formally came into existance on November 10, 2000 in Vientiane (Laos) after the Vientiane Declaration.
- the basic goal of the MGC was signed by ministers representing the 6 member-nations.
- the MGC aims at developing closer relations & better understanding among the members-nations :

• to enhance friendship, solidarity & cooperation
• facilitating inter-state movement & transit transport of goods & people in the region.
• creating necessary infrastructural facilities in the 'Ganga-Mekong' basin areas
• encouraging active participation in poverty eradication.

2.SCO - SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION

- the SCO came into exsitence as Shanghai five in 1996.
- the treaty was signed in shanghai (china), by China & four former Soviet Republics - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia & Tajikistan to resolve border issues.
- the member-nation are : China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia & Uzbekistan.
- its headquaters is situated at St.Petersburg.

OBJECTIVES SCO :

- the member-nations aim at reducing their respective armed forces along with their common borders.
- refraining from the use of force against each other
- coordinating efforts to fight threats to regional stability, including those from ethnic / religious separatism.
- the aim then shifted to broad issues of regional security & economic cooperation.
- at the 1998 Almaty meet, leader of teh SCO agreed to jointly combat international terrorism, during trafficking, illegal arms trade & other forms of organised crime.

STRUCTURE SCO :

- the secretariat is expected to handle organisational & paper work for the SCO's apex bodies. it includes 4 councils. they are :

• heads of states.
• heads of governments
• foreign ministries
• national coordinators.

3.BEU - BENELUX ECONOMIC UNION

- it is commercial union of belgium, Netherlands & Lumexburg, which was constituted in 1985 for promoting mutual commercial cooperation among these three-member countries.

OBJECTIVES BEU :

- to develop closer economic links amng the member-states
- to ensure a coordinated poilcy in economic, environmental, financial, tourists, transport & social fields
- to promote a common policy in foreign trade with regard to exchange of goods & services with developing countries.

ACTIVITIES OF BEU :

the Benelux has facilitated the free movement of persons, services, goods & capital between the member-states by abolishing all kinds of passport controls, labour permits, import, excise or any other duties.

STRUCTURE OF BEU :
The 'Benelux' consists of :

- the committee of minsiters
- the inter-parliamentary consultative council
- the council of the economic union
- the economic & social advisory council
- the college of arbitrators.
- the Benelux Court of Justice
- the secretariat.