Vladimir Putin proposes anti-terror centre in SCO

Russian President Vladimir Putin said all Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries should note the need to fight the drug threat.

Beijing: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday proposed establishing an anti-terrorism centre within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Speaking at a SCO meeting, Putin said all SCO member countries should note the need to fight the drug threat.

"We can achieve success in this direction by establishing a universal centre to counter terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime in the SCO," the Russian President said.

Putin recalled that the SCO already comprises an anti-terror organisation.

"The organisation could be made universal and charged with coordinating anti-drug work," he said.

The SCO is a regional security grouping that comprises Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Mongolia, India, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan have observer status.

IANS