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SCO defence ministers agree to continue Peace Mission exercises

The Bishkek meeting involved the defence ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and the Uzbek first deputy defence minister

BISHKEK, June 26 (Itar-Tass) - The defence ministers of the SCO member-countries have agreed to conduct the Peace Mission military exercises, Kyrgyz Defence Minister Taalaybek Omuraliyev said.

“During the meeting, we succeeded in discussing the strengthening of interaction amidst the modern regional and international situation, as well as defence and security cooperation,” Omuraliyev said on Wednesday.

He said the participants in the meeting had agreed to step up cooperation to counter the modern challenges and threats. “We summed up the results of cooperation in 2012-2013 and approved a plan on cooperation for 2014-2015,” the Kyrgyz defence minister said.

After the meeting “we signed a joint communique and a protocol that reflected the defence ministers’ vision on ensuring stability and security in the region”, Omuraliyev said.

The Bishkek meeting involved the defence ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and the Uzbek first deputy defence minister.

Upon completion of the ministerial meeting Shoigu conferred with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev to determine the term for starting arms supplies to the republic.

On June 25, Shoigu said Russia would start arms supplies to Kyrgyzstan from 2014. “On your instruction and on the instruction of the president of our country we discuss a support programme to equip Kyrgyzstan’s Armed Forces,” he said, adding, “All is ready. I believe that we’ll coordinate the latest formalities shortly.”