DUSHANBE, September 20, Asia-Plus - Heads and senior representatives of supreme courts from member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have gathered in Shanghai for their first meeting that opened today.  

A source in Tajikistan’s Supreme Court said Izbillo Khojayev, chairman of the country’s Supreme Court, and Nasim Hasanov, member of the Supreme Court’s Military Board, are representing Tajikistan at the meeting in Shanghai. 

According to the source, the two-day meeting is considering issues related to establishment of a mechanism of cooperation in fighting transnational crime and strengthening interaction between justice systems of the SCO states to counter terrorism, extremism and separatism within the Organization framework.

Participants at meeting are also expected to discuss a role of judicial bodies in promoting social development, providing public order and justice.  The meeting will result in adoption of a joint statement.

Founded in 2001, the SCO originally dealt with security and confidence-building issues, but has broadened its priorities to include economic cooperation as well as transportation, disaster relief and cultural projects.  The SCO members are China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.