SCO member states will strengthen cooperation in defense and security - secretary general

BEIJING, June 21. /TASS/. Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) plan to expand cooperation in defense and security, SCO Secretary General Vladimir Norov said on Friday. "Member states will continue to expand anti-terrorist cooperation in the sphere of defense and security. Regular joint anti-terrorist drills 'Peaceful Mission' and similar exercises will continue to be held," Norov said. Participants in the Bishkek summit emphasized the inadmissibility of interference into internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of fighting against terrorism, he noted. The leaders of SCO member states called for strengthening cooperation within international community in fighting against terrorism, against terrorist and extremist ideology, illegal drug trafficking. On June 14, the SCO summit took place in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek. The leaders of Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan took part in the summit, along with the leaders of observer states - Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia. Read more