The eleventh session of Secretaries of Security Councils of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was underway these days in Tashkent under the chairmanship of Uzbekistan.
The event was attended by Assistant to the President – the Secretary of Security Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. B.Yermekbayev, a member of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Guo Shengkun, the Secretary of the Defense Council of the Kyrgyz Republic T. K. Jumakadyrov, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation N. P.Patrushev, Secretary of Security Council of the Republic of Tajikistan A. A. Kakharov, Secretary of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan V. V. Makhmudov, as well as the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization R. K. Alimov and the Director of the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the SCO E. S. Sysoev.
Heads of delegations were received by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan I. A. Karimov.
Secretaries of Security Councils of member states of the SCO noted that international and regional security remains at risk due to continued political, economic and social instability, increasing levels of terrorism, extremism and radicalism, the increasing imbalances and the ongoing armed conflicts in the adjacent regions of the SCO, including in some countries in the Middle East and North Africa. As was emphasized, these negative trends affect the interests of the states members of the Organization and threaten the security in the SCO space.
The parties recognized that a major factor in strengthening security and stability in the region is an early peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan.
Secretaries of Security Councils welcomed the practical implementation of the Joint comprehensive plan of action to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, which will contribute to the expansion of international cooperation for peace and stability in the region and beyond.
The strict compliance with the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia, and the early entry into force of the relevant Protocol on security assurances will make a significant contribution to strengthening regional stability and nuclear non-proliferation regime.
The sides reaffirmed the priority of further strengthening and development of cooperation on combating terrorism, separatism, extremism, illicit trafficking in arms, narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their precursors and other dangerous phenomena. They deemed necessary to ensure the practical implementation of SCO documents and decisions in these important for all member states of the organization directions.
According to the mutual opinion, international terrorism and extremism in all its manifestations can be defeated only through general and consolidated efforts of all states.
The participants advocated for the scaling up of anti-drug direction, primarily through supporting measures to strengthen the international drug control system, based on the three basic UN conventions.
The sides agreed to ensure the active promotion of coordinated approaches of member states of the SCO on international information security in the framework of the specialized international and regional organizations and forums. The parties agreed a coordinated way to promote the Joint project of the rules of conduct for international information security, an updated version of which was presented in January of 2015 as an official document of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly.
The participants called for the early finalization and adoption of Comprehensive UN Convention against international terrorism.
Confidence was expressed that more active involvement of observer states and dialogue partners to the activities of the SCO in the sphere of counteraction to challenges and threats to regional security will enhance the effectiveness of measures in this direction, the growing influence and authority of the SCO on the international arena.
An importance was given to the expansion of relations of the SCO RATS in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism with the UN agencies and other relevant international organizations, as well as with the competent authorities of the observer states and dialogue partners of the SCO.
The parties heard the information of the Uzbek side on the preparations for the meeting of Council of heads of member states of the SCO that are scheduled to be held on 23-24 June 2016 in Tashkent.
The meeting participants noted that the upcoming Summit will be an important step in the improvement of the contractual legal framework of the SCO and the increasing international interaction in the sphere of security in accordance with the development strategy of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization until 2025, as well as other agreement reached by the heads of member states of the organization.
Another issues discussed were about the implementation of the Ufa decisions in the field of security.
A positive assessment was given to the role of RATS on facilitating the coordination and cooperation between competent authorities of states-members of SCO in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism.
Heads of delegations noted the high level of organization of the event and expressed gratitude to the Uzbek side for the warm hospitality and comfort.
As was underlined at the event, the next session of Secretaries of Security Councils of member states of the SCO will be held in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
