Premier urges cooperation to battle terrorism, separatism at SCO

Premier Li Keqiang urged the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Saturday to build on the organization’s strengths to maintain security cooperation and step up efforts to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism.

In his speech delivered at the 18th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of SCO in Tashkent, Li called upon member states to cement security arrangements to bolster the foundatios of security and development.

“As threats and challenges keep coming our way, SCO members need to maintain close communication and coordination, enhance mutual support, and work for common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security,” the Premier said.

Li said more work must be done to improve the legal basis for combating terrorism, separatism and extremism, reinforce the regional anti-terrorism structure and investigate the feasibility of setting up an SCO anti-narcotics coordination mechanism.

He also highlighted the importance of conducting joint counter-terrorism exercises and joint border control operations and strengthening security collaboration for major events and key projects.

Li also stressed the importance of deepening cybersecurity cooperation, and reminded member countries to stay upgraded with the latest technologies to better counter violent terrorism, he said.

He appealed to member states to give full play to the role of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group, support international efforts for peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan and jointly contribute to security, stability and economic progress in the country.