SCO and CSTO Secretaries General discussed security cooperation

Zhang Ming and Stanislav Zas, secretaries general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Collective Security Treaty Organization, discussed security cooperation at their bilateral meeting on the margins of the SCO summit in Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan.

According to TASS, the parties stated that the approaches of the member states of the two organizations are close or coincide on a number of topical international security issues.

“The parties discussed interaction between the two organizations and noted the priority given to the development of cooperation between the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” TASS quotes Vladimir Zaynetdinov, CSTO spokesman, as saying.

“It was decided to continue mutual contacts between the SCO and CSTO secretariats on the basis of a memorandum of cooperation signed on October 5, 2007. The document envisages the development of mutual cooperation in ensuring regional and international security and stability, combating terrorism, drug and weapons trafficking and organized transnational crime, as well as in other areas of mutual interest,” Vladimir Zaynetdinov said.

Stanislav Zas, CSTO Secretary General, has arrived in Samarkand to participate in the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO member states.