Pakistan to join SCO Joint Counter Terrorism Military Exercise 2018 in Russia
Shares
BEIJING - A meeting of the defence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries will be held this year. The SCO-member countries will also hold a Fanfare for Peace Military Tattoo in China and Peace Mission – 2018 Joint Counter terrorism Military Exercise in Russia. The decision in this regard was taken at an annual meeting of officials of the international military cooperation departments of defence ministries of the SCO member states held here last month, according to official sources in the Chinese Defence Ministry here on Friday. The meeting reviewed and summarized the military activities jointly held within the SCO framework previous year, and discussed activities to be held under the SCO framework in 2018.
Pakistan and India, the two new SCO members, also sent their representatives to the meeting. Both countries expressed willingness to actively participate in the defence and security cooperation within the SCO framework. The Republic of Belarus also attended the meeting as a special guest. The convening of this meeting is of great significance for the SCO to strengthen its internal solidarity and coordination after the enlargement of the organization and promote the defence and security cooperation of the SCO in the new situation. The defence ministries and armed forces of the SCO member states also agreed to continue to implement the Shanghai Spirit featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversified civilization and pursuit for common development, firmly maintain the regional security and stability, further improve the defence and security cooperation mechanism, so as to make positive contribution to the building of a shared community featuring peace and stability, development and prosperity. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and security organisation, the creation of which was announced on June 15, 2001 in Shanghai, China by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.
Pakistan and India joined SCO as full members on June 9, 2017 at the summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. - APP
