Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Apr. 20
By Demir Azizov- Trend:
New global threats and challenges posed by international terrorism, separatism and extremism, including foreign fighters, terrorists, cyber-terrorism were discussed in Tashkent, said the report of the Executive Committee of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO RATS).
These issues were discussed during the meeting of the SCO RATS and delegation of the relevant departments of the UN Security Council on monitoring of the implementation of the resolutions of the Security Council in preventing and combating international terrorism.
Delegation of the relevant departments of the UN Security Council was headed by Weixiong Chen, deputy executive director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) of the UN Security Council.
During the meeting, Zhang Xinfeng, director of the Executive Committee of SCO RATS, informed the UN Security Council on the joint measures taken by the competent authorities of the SCO member states to prevent and combat the use or threat of use of computer networks for terrorist, separatist purposes.
In conclusion, the parties reaffirmed their interest in cooperation in the fight against international terrorism.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a regional international association. It was established on June 15, 2001 on the basis of the so-called "Shanghai Five", including Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, operating since 1996.
At present, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are SCO member-states. An observer status was granted to Mongolia, India, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Belarus, Sri Lanka and Turkey have a "dialogue partner" status.
CTED is required by the Security Council to monitor Member States' counter-terrorism efforts, facilitate delivery of required technical assistance, advise Member States on the development of comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism strategies, and promote the sharing of good counter-terrorism practices.
RATS is a permanent body of the SCO, created in order for assistance, coordination and interaction of the competent bodies of the SCO member states in the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
In its activities, RATS is guided by documents and decisions taken within the framework of the SCO, interacts with the competent authorities of the parties and prepares the appropriate materials at the request of other bodies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The SCO RATS includes representatives of special services and law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Edited by CN