The 4th Summit of Heads of State of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (Cica) opened on May 21 in Shanghai. This organization, which was created after the demise of the Soviet Union, aims to stabilize Asia on the pattern of the OSCE in Europe. However, this forum never really functioned due to both the lack of regional leadership throughout the 1990s and 2000s, and the absence of a culture of dialogue between Member States. The organization remained dormant during the Turkish chairmanship which has been taken over by China.

All changes are now possible around Russia and China. After the accession of Qatar and Bangladesh, the number of CICA member states has been brought to 26. Yesterday, the Russian and Chinese presidents have decided to consolidate the payment of their bilateral trade in local currencies rather than in dollars. And it appears certain that the summit will issue a joint statement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.