DUSHANBE, July 14. /TASS/. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) needs to cultivate shared approaches to security issues amid the mounting risks to the security of SCO states, the Russian delegation said on Wednesday during a session of the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Dushanbe.
Sources in the Russian delegation said that the "sharp increase in the risks to the SCO space due to terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and other forms of transnational border crime, including cyber crime, being closely intertwined" requires the special attention of the organization’s members. In this regard, the delegation pointed out the need to establish coordinated and comprehensive approaches by the SCO in these areas as soon as possible.
With this in mind, Russia proposes "approving a draft decision of the SCO Heads of State council, which would include the approval of all existing initiatives of various SCO member states on this issue," the source stressed.
At the same time, Russia notes that the possibilities of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) need to be expanded. It needs to include such spheres as preventing terrorist and extremist ideology online, as well as putting an end to terrorism funding through the drug trade and organized crime.
Another pressing issue is fostering common approaches to ensuring biosecurity and security in the space within the SCO, the Russian delegation says. In this regard, Moscow confirms its intent to organize inter-ministerial consultations, which had to be postponed at the request of certain partners. The delegation also reiterated its call on the Indian side to join the SCO discussion on these matters.