DUSHANBE, June 30, 2015, Asia-Plus – Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo is attending the meeting of the defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member nations that kicked off in St. Petersburg, Russia today.
Faridoun Mahmadaliyev, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan (MoD), says Sherali Mirzo is scheduled to hold a number of meetings with his counterparts from the SCO member nations on the sidelines of the meeting.
The Russian Ministry of Defense’s website says the meeting’s agenda includes the exchange of views on issues related to international and regional security, discussion of the ways of consolidation of efforts for adequate reaction to new challenges and threats in the SCO area of responsibility (AoR).
Particular attention will be paid to practical activities aimed at the usage of the SCO forces and means to provide peace and stability in the region.
The participants will analyze the results of cooperation of the previous year as well as will discuss cooperation among the SCO defense ministries.
The meeting participants are expected to sign the Cooperation plan of the defense ministries for 2016-2017 as well as to adopt a number of documents, which will allow improving the cooperation level among the defense ministries within the Organization.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the 2nd international festival of military music will take place in St. Petersburg. This is a new form of cooperation among the defense ministries, which enhances the military and cultural exchange and team-building.



