Active phase of Peace Mission 2012 joint anti-terrorism maneuvers of SCO member states, which started Thursday, June 7, in north Tajikistan, is scheduled to begin June 9 on Chorhudairon training field, a spokesman for Tajik Ministry of Defense Faridun Mahmadaliev told AP.
He said military equipment and machinery are being prepared for the active stage of the maneuvers.
At the same time, Commanders-in-Chief of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization met Thursday in Kairakkum city. Top SCO defense officials arrived to north Tajikistan to observe the war games which will last till June 14.
The session brought together First Deputy Defense Minister, chief of the staff of the Kazakhstan’s forces Colonel General Sanen Zhasuzakov, chief of the general staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Colonel Chen Bingde, First Deputy Defense Minister and chief of the staff of the Kyrgyzstan’s forces Ilyazbek Subankulov, Deputy Chief of the Staff of the Russian Forces Colonel General Alexander Postnikov, Chief of the Staff of the Armed forces of Tajikistan, First Deputy Defense Minister Lieutenant General Ramil Nadyrov, who presided over the session.
Top SCO defense officials shared their views on international and regional security, outlined high level of mutual understanding achieved within SCO, discussed directions of cooperation between defense ministries of SCO member states.
Top SCO defense officials have also evaluated modern threats and challenges, talked about international and regional security, discussed organization and functioning of a joint mechanism of response to manifestations of terrorism, extremism and separatism which threaten peace and stability in the region and agreed that strengthening of stability in Central Asia region remains the priority for SCO member states.
Session participants also stressed that expansion of cooperation between defense ministries is carried out in accordance with fundamental principles of SCO’s openness and non-confrontation. The overall goal of such cooperation is to strengthen military-to-military trust, improve stability, security and peace in the region, phased cooperation in new directions.
Top SCO defense officials have outlined that Peace Mission 2012 maneuvers will contribute to improvement of counter terrorism capacities, skills and level of cooperation between military units of SCO member states when facing new threats and challenges in the conditions of vulnerability. They have also stressed that this practice will continue in the future.
Session participants have agreed that expansion of contacts between top SCO defense officials is strategically important for balanced development of cooperation within SCO at all levels.
The session resulted in signing of the instruction on the beginning of the joint anti-terrorism maneuvers in which more than 2000 soldiers and officers from Tajikistan, Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will take part. It still remains unclear why Uzbekistan refused to take part in the maneuvers.
As reported by the Government of Tajikistan, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon is expected to observe the final phase of the war games.
