SCO Member Countries Vow To Enhance Security Cooperation

The 13th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Security Council Secretaries wrapped up here on Tuesday

BEIJING, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2018 ) :The 13th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Security Council Secretaries wrapped up here on Tuesday. Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi chaired the two-day meeting.

Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, Zhao said that officials agreed on a wide range of topics, among them the need to boost security cooperation. "With India and Pakistan joining the SCO, we see an expanded space for cooperation in various areas.

With complex and profound changes underway in the regional security landscape, the organization faces heavier responsibilities." SCO Secretary-General, Rashid Alimov said, "The meeting has taken SCO meetings to a new level.

All parties will conduct joint actions, fight terrorism and extremism together, tackle challenges, both old and new, in Eurasia." Pakistan's National Security Advisor, Nasser Khan Janjua, Presidential Aide and Secretary of National Security Council of Kazakhstan Nurlan Ermekbaev, Secretary of the National Security Council of Kyrgyzstan Damir Sagynbayev, Secretary of the National Security Council of Russia Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the National Security Council of Tajikistan Abdurahim Kahorov, Secretary of the National Security Council of Uzbekistan Makhmudov Victor Vladimirovich, Deputy National Security Adviser of India, Rajinder Khanna, SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov, and Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure Yevgeniy Sysoyev attended the meeting.

The Primary task of the meeting was to make political and security preparations for the Qingdao summit in June. It also discussed how to further enhance regional stability and security. It is the first meeting of its kind after Pakistan and India became SCO members.

Participants exchanged in-depth views on issues including the regional security situation of the SCO, cooperation in fighting the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism, and extremism, as well as guaranteeing international information safety.

The meetings of SCO National Security Council Secretaries, first held in 2004, are used to coordinate security efforts across the region. The annual gathering has emerged as one of the most important platforms for member countries to conduct security talks, injecting new impetus into regional cooperation.

Maintaining regional security and stability has always been the priority among SCO member countries. During the first summit after expansion, the member states are ready to work out increasing mutual political support, and achieving sustainable peace.