SCO-RATS condemns military strikes against Iran

The development came at the 46th meeting of the Council of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the SCO (SCO-RATS), held under Pakistan's chairmanship.The meeting also came against the backdrop of continuing US-Iran confrontation, with the conflict increasingly threatening regional stability and international energy supplies.

The SCO leaders had already condemned military strikes against Iran at its recent summit in Bishkek and called for a political and diplomatic resolution.According to the statement issued after Monday's meeting, the SCO-RATS Council "condemned the new military attacks" against Iran and reaffirmed the organisation's previously expressed position.

The council also expressed condolences to the Iranian government and people over the death of supreme leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei, as well as to the families of those killed.It reaffirmed support for the preservation of Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and backed efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions, establishing peace and ensuring regional stability.Delegations from Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan attended the Islamabad meeting,….

The common position on Iran reflects how the issue has emerged as one of the few areas where major powers and regional rivals within the SCO have been able to find common ground.The position is also broadly consistent with the declaration adopted at the SCO summit in Bishkek earlier this month, when India, China, Russia, Pakistan and other members reaffirmed their opposition to military strikes against Iran and warned of….

They will also hold a practical seminar on the use of the internet for terrorist, separatist and extremist purposes, as well as a joint counterterrorism exercise designed to identify and prevent the use of the internet for such activities.The 13th International Scientific and Practical Conference on cooperation between SCO member states and an SCO observer state in countering terrorism, separatism and extremism is also scheduled to be held in Kazakhstan.The….

Officials who had made personal contributions to the development of SCO-RATS activities and to strengthening cooperation among the competent authorities of member states were also honoured.The meeting marked the conclusion of Pakistan chairmanship of the SCO-RATS Council.

"The chairmanship" was formally passed to Russia, with the next meeting of the council to be held at the premises of the SCO-RATS Executive Committee in Tashkent.Pakistan said the successful hosting of the meeting reflected its commitment and contribution to strengthening SCO-RATS and advancing collective efforts against terrorism, separatism and extremism.

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