In the SCO region, where economic interaction is actively developing and fundamentally new interstate cooperation is being built, measures are being developed to jointly respond to hybrid threats. First of all, we are talking about sabotage and terrorist attacks. Unfortunately, such phenomena are accompanied by the breakdown of the old system of the unipolar world. The geography of potential conflicts is constantly expanding, and insurmountable contradictions are turning into proxy wars. But the most dangerous and cynical element in this global confrontation, as analysts note, is terror as a way to chaotize space in order to damage integration processes and economic development potential.
In Astana, the chairmen of the security councils of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries discussed joining efforts to prevent and mitigate such threats. Marat Imankulov, who represented Kyrgyzstan at the meeting, noted the increasing activity of international terrorist organizations and extremist groups, pointing to recent terrorist attacks in Iran and Russia with a large number of dead and injured.
Imankulov stated that the international situation continues to heat up. New threats are emerging for SCO countries that undermine regional security, disrupt historical ties and seek to weaken the sovereignty of the organisation’s members. According to the secretary of the Kyrgyz Security Council, the spread of radical ideas has increased, particularly affecting young people, and the internet is being used to promote terrorism and extremism.
In this regard, Kyrgyzstan invited its partners to strengthen the coordination of joint actions and strengthen the SCO’s ability to ensure the stability of the region. Of course, such meetings use only formal and streamlined language, but as systems analyst Baktybek Saipbayev noted, the security agencies of friendly countries have a lot of work to do. Their priority is preventing terrorist activity, identifying sleeper cells and accomplices, as well as sponsors and customers of sabotage attacks in the SCO’s territory and area of responsibility.
“Apart from terrorism, let’s say, in its classical manifestations, we are now facing quite ugly forms of using mercenary performers, and these are no longer fanatics. There are attempts to recruit illiterate, needy and weak-minded people who, either for a fee or through intimidation, are pushed to organize and commit subversion. This subversive work is carried out via the Internet, mostly from non-CIS countries.
Through these attacks, they want to intimidate the population and sow discord on national and religious grounds. Their goal is to disperse neighbors and clash with each other, to disrupt interstate ties. I can state that these actions are directed not only against Russia and China. They threaten all the countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” Baktybek Saipbayev said.
In this context, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s speech at a meeting with the secretaries of the security councils of the SCO member states in Astana contained very important messages. He emphasized that his country adheres to the principle of indivisibility of Eurasian security, which implies mutual understanding and creation of confidence-building measures. This approach should form the basis of the strategic task to form a security belt around the perimeter of the SCO.
The Kazakh leader noted that the meetings of the SCO security council secretaries acquire special relevance given the growing role of collective security in the organization’s vast area of responsibility.
“Last year there were 183 regional and local conflicts in the world, the number of which increased by almost 30 percent. This is the highest figure in the last three decades. Experts believe that a global cycle of conflicts and violent actions is unfolding. Against this background, the threat of international terrorism is growing,” Kasym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized.
Speaking about the inhuman terrorist attack on the Crocus concert hall near Moscow, the President of Kazakhstan said: “The main thing is to draw the right conclusions and take the necessary practical measures. It is required to ensure the safety of our citizens and give a worthy response to the terrorist threat.
Also, the head of Kazakhstan focused attention on the fact that the Shanghai Organization was once created to ensure stability and security in the region to jointly confront the “three forces of evil.”
“From us, in turn, we need a more systematic and decisive response. We cannot allow manifestations of terrorism, extremism and separatism to be used to undermine internal stability in our states. Countering the “three forces of evil”, as well as transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and cyber security challenges is one of the priorities of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the SCO,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The meeting of the secretaries of the security councils was an important stage in the preparation for the summit of the heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, which is scheduled for early July. Well, and very soon, in a few days, the official visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan will take place. At these talks, Sadyr Zhaparov and Kasym-Jomarat Tokayev intend not just to strengthen, but to significantly expand allied relations between our countries, and, of course, we will talk about increasing cooperation in the increasingly demanding security sphere.
Source
https://kabar.kg/news/nedelimaia-bezopasnost-evrazii-vyzovy-stoiashchie-pered-shos/
