The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO-RATS Council) on Monday held its 46th meeting in Islamabad and condemned the new military attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran and reaffirmed the SCO's previously expressed position on this issue. The organisation has in the past repeatedly condemned military and airstrike attacks targeting Iranian territory, stating that such actions violate the UN Charter and international law.
"Expressing condolences to the Government and people of Iran over the tragic deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader, Seyyed Ali Khamenei, as well as to the families of those killed, the Council reaffirmed its position on preserving Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and supported efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions, establishing peace and ensuring stability in the region," said the Foreign Office at the conclusion of the meeting, with Pakistan in the chair.
Established in 2002, the SCO-RATS Council is the governing body of the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, which coordinates joint security, counter-terrorism and intelligence-sharing efforts among member states. The RATS operates with an executive committee based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. As Pakistan handed over the chair to the Russian Federation, the Foreign Office stated that Pakistan successfully hosted the 46th Meeting of the SCO-RATS Council in Islamabad on Monday, marking the successful conclusion of its chairmanship.
"This reflects Pakistan's commitment and contributions to strengthening the SCO-RATS and advancing collective efforts against terrorism, separatism & extremism," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The meeting was attended by delegations from the competent authorities of Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of the executive committee of the SCO-RATS. Pakistan was represented by Dr Fareha Bugti, Director General0 Counter Terrorism at the Foreign Office.
During the meeting, current issues on the international agenda in the field of ensuring regional security were discussed. "The Council reviewed the implementation of previously adopted decisions of the SCO-RATS Council concerning the coordination of cooperation among the competent authorities of the SCO member states in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism, and approved work plans of the executive committee of SCO-RATS and expert groups on the most pressing issues of the countering the 'three forces of evil'," added the Foreign Office.
Decisions were adopted on the establishment and improvement of information infrastructure to strengthen interaction among the parties. An agreement was also reached to conduct in 2027 a joint information operation in the field of countering terrorism, a practical seminar for the use of the Internet for terrorist, separatist and extremist purposes, as well as joint counter-terrorism exercise of the competent authorities of the SCO member states to identify and prevent the use of the Internet for terrorist, separatist and extremist purposes.
The 13th International Scientific and Practical Conference on cooperation between the SCO member states and the SCO observer state in the field of countering terrorism, separatism and extremism is scheduled to be held in Kazakhstan. Issues concerning the organisational and staffing support of the activities of the executive committee of SCO-RATS were considered. "For their personal contribution to the development of SCO-RATS activities and the strengthening of cooperation among the competent authorities of the SCO member states and officials of the executive committee of SCO-RATS were awarded," said the statement.
While the meeting was held in a "businesslike and friendly atmosphere", an agreement was reached to hold the next meeting of the SCO-RATS Council in Tashkent.