Representatives of the defense
ministries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states discussed
cooperation, as well as international and regional security issues at a meeting
in Astana, held as part of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the SCO. The parties
emphasized that military cooperation within the SCO is not directed against
other countries but aimed solely at strengthening confidence-building measures.
Kazakh Minister of Defense Ruslan Zhaksylykov proposed developing and adopting
an agreement on confidence-building measures within the SCO, which would
include voluntary mutual visits to military units and the provision of
information on conducted military exercises and defense ministry structures.
The parties signed a protocol and a number of documents regulating cooperation,
alongside adopting a joint communique.
“The meeting is focused on
strengthening confidence-building measures in the military sector, promoting
peace and stability in the region, and coordinating efforts to counter regional
security challenges and threats. Thus, it is necessary to continue conducting the
Peace Mission, a joint counter-terrorism military exercise. To promote the
activities of the armed forces of SCO member states, an agreement has been
reached to enhance cooperation between military-historical museums,”
Zhaksylykov said.
