The SCO countries agreed to coordinate their actions to ensure borders’ security

Almaty. June 8. Silkroadnews – Agreements to co-ordinate actions to ensure security on the borders have been reached at the meeting of defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states held in Astana, the press service of the Kazakhstani ministry of defence reports.

During the meeting the heads of the defense department exchanged views on topical issues of international and regional security and noted the high level of mutual understanding between the SCO states in this area.
The defense ministers agreed to improve coordination and consultative mechanisms on security ensuring, cooperation of defense agencies to counter military threats in the immediate vicinity of the SCO member states borders and the rapid exchange of information.

The meeting participants also discussed the issues of strengthening peace, stability and security and gave a high appraisal of the Russian armed forces’ actions in Syria to combat international terrorism and assist the Syrian people, including measures on mine clearance.

The agenda also included discussion on preparations for the joint anti-terrorism military command-and-staff exercises “Peace Mission – 2016”.

The joint communiqué has been signed on the meeting results.

Minister of Defense of Kazakhstan Imangali Tasmagambetov, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, chairman of the National Committee for the Defense of the Kyrgyz Republic Marat Kenzhesariev, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Tajikistan’s Minister of Defense Sherali Mirzo, first deputy Minister of Defense, Chief of General Staff of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Defense Shavkat Normatov, SCO Deputy Secretary General Sabyr Imandosov and Zhou Qing, Deputy Director of the SCO RATS Executive Committee took part in the meeting.

The next meeting of the SCO defense ministers is planned to be held in Kazakhstan in 2017.