President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with the heads of the Security Councils of the member-states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the SCO Secretary General and the director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-terrorist Structure. 

Warmly greeting the guests, the head of our state noted that on the eve of its fifteenth anniversary the Shanghai Cooperation Organizations has firmly established itself as an influential and effective international organization, the activity of which supports solving common tasks in strengthening peace, stability and security, ensuring sustainable social-economic development of SCO member-states. 

Within the framework of Uzbekistan’s current chairmanship at the SCO, consistent efforts, aimed at strengthening and developing mutually beneficial multifaceted cooperation within the framework of this Organization, in particular in combating modern challenges and threats to security, are conducted with joint endeavor of member-states. Substantial enhancement of the agenda of the upcoming jubilee meeting of the Council of heads of SCO member-states, which will be held in Tashkent is of particular interest. 

The format of the meetings of the Secretaries of the Security Councils, initiated by Uzbekistan in 2004, is a required and efficient SCO institution, becoming an inalienable part of the SCO system and mechanisms, carrying out significant mission on coordinating efforts of parties on the issues of ensuring security and stability in the area of the Organization. 

The head of our state has also underlined the specific role of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure in developing and implementing practically significant solutions on preventing, combating and neutralizing the cases of terrorism, extremism and separatism, as well as other contemporary challenges and threats in the territory of the SCO member-states. 

The heads of delegations of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan shared their opinions on the issues on the agenda of the eleventh meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the SCO-member-states, expressed sincere gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan for a warm reception and highlighted the significance of efforts of our country on reinvigorating the activity of SCO in many spheres of regional cooperation during the period of chairmanship in the Organization. 

UzA