Kazakhstan ratified SCO Counter-Terrorism Convention

Kazakh Senate adopted a law to ratify the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Counter-Terrorism Convention, KazTAG reports. The Counter-Terrorism Convention is an agreement to train personnel for antiterrorist forces of the SCO member-states. The personnel will be trained by relevant authorities of the parties to the agreement. The overall operation will be supported and coordinated by the SCO regional antiterrorist executive committee. The plan is to improve practical knowledge and skills in antiterrorism effort, obtain modern tactical techniques, hold special events and ad hoc trainings and exchange experience. The trainings will be carried out in accordance with the program approved by SCO regional antiterrorist board and (or) under bilateral agreements. The costs will be covered as per agreements between the parties’ relevant authorities. “The SCO countries already have some experience of joint trainings of antiterrorist personnel. Experts of the National Security Committee (NSC) and other security agencies are being annually trained in universities of a range of security bodies in Russia and China. Joint seminars and trainings in the NSC Military University and training center are held on a regular basis,” said NSC deputy chairman Zhanat Zharassov. The Convention was signed in Yekaterinburg on June 16, 2009. So far it has been ratified by Russia and Tajikistan. Kyrgyzstan, China and Uzbekistan are still reviewing it. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is an international organization established in 2001 by the presidents of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. In terms of the status it is neither a military block nor a regular open security conference but something in-between. The main objectives of the organization are reinforcement of stability and security, combating terrorism, separatism and extremism, development of economic cooperation, energy partnership, scientific and cultural interaction.