ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 26. Within the framework of Kazakhstan's presidency in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a meeting of defense ministers was held, Trend reports.
Heads of defense departments of the SCO member states, the Secretary-General, the Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, as well as the Minister of Defense of Belarus, took part in the meeting.
The sides discussed topical issues of international and regional security in a traditionally friendly and constructive manner and identified steps to develop cooperation between defense agencies.
Additionally, it was noted at the meeting that the SCO is not a military-political bloc, and military cooperation is not directed against other countries.
The meeting's activities are focused on strengthening confidence-building measures in the military sphere and coordinating efforts to counter challenges and threats to regional security. In this connection, the necessity of continuing the joint military counter-terrorism exercise Peace Mission was noted.
To promote the activities of the Armed Forces of the organization's member states, the heads of the defense departments agreed to develop interaction between military history museums.
Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov, head of Kazakhstan's defense ministry, drew the participants' attention to the historical aspect of the organization.
“If we go back to the origins of the SCO, it should be noted that the basis for its creation was laid by the Agreement on Strengthening Confidence-Building in the Military Field in the Border Area of April 26, 1996 (Shanghai Agreement) and the Agreement on Mutual Reduction of Armed Forces in the Border Area of April 24, 1997 (Moscow Agreement),” he said.
Further, Kazakhstan's Defense Minister proposed to develop and adopt an agreement on confidence-building measures for all SCO states within the framework of the organization, providing for mutual visits to military units voluntarily and providing information on major military exercises, leadership, and the structure of defense agencies.
The meeting resulted in the signing of a protocol, several documents regulating cooperation, and the adoption of a joint communiqué.
Kazakhstan's Minister of Defense and the Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization made a joint statement at the conclusion of the event.
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