Сongratulations by the SCO Heads of States on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the SCO RATS
I sincerely congratulate the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the esteemed director, and the staff of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of this structure.
The growth of security threats and international challenges, such as terrorism, extremism, and separatism, has necessitated development and enhancement of joint efforts of the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to counter these threats and strengthen peace, security, and stability in the region.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a new member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and a significant player in the regional and international developments, will diligently and scrupulously work towards achieving the political goals of the organization and its related structures, especially the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.
I am confident that the development and strengthening of the activities of the Regional Anti- Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will greatly contribute to the enhancement of coordination and joint action among the member countries to counter security threats and challenges.
I pray to the God Almighty for the well-being and happiness of the peoples and member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Seyed Ebrahim Raisi President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Dear Friends!
Congratulations on the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization!
Over the past years, the Executive Committee has carried out significant work to strengthen cooperation between the competent authorities of the SCO member states. Having become an integral part of the global network of anti-terrorist structures, it acquired well-deserved authority in the international arena.
The Executive Committee effectively contributes to the development of a reliable system of regional and global security. The coordinated and highly professional efforts of its employees make an important contribution to countering separatism, terrorism and extremism.
I am confident that the staff members of the Executive Committee will continue to efficiently address the tasks it faces and contribute to building effective mechanisms for responding to emerging challenges and threats.
I wish you success in your work in such an important area related to ensuring security, peace and stability in the SCO space.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Chairman of the Council of Heads of SCO Member States, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Dear Mr. Mirzayev and the team of the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,
Congratulations on the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization!
Partnership within the framework of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure provides the basis for the successful, sustainable and safe development of all member states of the Shanghai Organization and serves as a reliable link in ensuring regional security.
For the purpose of fruitful cooperation in this area, a complex and multi-level international legal, political and regulatory framework for cooperation was built within the SCO, covering almost all types of threats.
Over the 20 years of active and fruitful work, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure has become an important platform for countering the “three forces of evil” - international terrorism, extremism and separatism.
Legal and organizational conditions have been created to enable joint countering the new challenges and threats and coordinating these activities. Conceptual regulatory documents have been adopted and medium-term cooperation programs are being implemented.
We are proud that the idea of creating a Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the SCO was put forward by the Kyrgyz Republic and in 2002 the first meeting of representatives of the SCO member states to launch the SCO RATS framework was held in Kyrgyzstan.
It is heartening to see that more and more countries are eager to join our friendly and tightly knit union. The Memorandum signed between the competent authorities of the CIS member countries and the SCO member states in May 2023 in Moscow serves as a proof that the boundaries of cooperation are expanding. Based on this document, for the first time in Kyrgyz Republic joint anti-terrorism exercises were held by the competent authorities of the CIS member countries and SCO member states under the single name “Eurasia-Anti-Terror 2023”, with representatives of 12 foreign countries and more than 30 different international organizations actively participating in September 2023.
As a consistent and convinced supporter of a collective and comprehensive solution to the issues of countering international terrorism, the Kyrgyz Republic will continue to actively participate in the activities of the Organization.
I wish you more successes and achievements!
With best wishes,
President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov
To the staff members of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure
of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Dear Comrades!
I congratulate you on this significant date - the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of the
Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Over the past years, RATS has taken key positions in the system of interstate bodies of the SCO and has turned into a significant link in the architecture of international and regional security. It has proven its effectiveness in practice by addressing a whole range of issues related to the coordination and interaction of security agencies of the SCO countries in the field of countering terrorism and extremism.
Presently your well-managed, well-coordinated and competent work is of particular importance. During the period of geopolitical turbulences and the aggravation of a number of conflicts, it is important to analyse common threats in a highly competent manner and develop effective measures to address them, as well as actively exchange intelligence and jointly systematize the experience.
I am confident that the staff members of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure will continue to fulfil the assigned tasks with dignity, help strengthen and enhance contacts between the security services and law enforcement agencies of our countries and make a significant contribution to maintaining stability and security in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization space.
I wish you more successes and all the best.
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin
To the Team of the Executive Committee
of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure
Dear friends!
Congratulations on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization!
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has entered its third decade in the context of rapid changes globally. The image and architecture of modern international relations are changing.
Current changes require a comprehensive, deep and effective response based on cooperation and a common understanding at the level of the international community of approaches to combating global challenges and threats.
The SCO and all its structural bodies are playing an increasingly significant role in these processes.
Today RATS is one of the key components of the system for ensuring security and stability in the area of responsibility of the SCO.
The legal framework and cooperation mechanisms existing in the RATS format facilitate development and implementation of joint measures to quickly eliminate threats.
The effective performance of RATS is a clear example of the consolidation and coordination of efforts of member states to counter security challenges on the basis of mutual understanding, support and trust.
I am convinced that the RATS will continue to focus its resources on effectively coordinating the interaction of our countries in addressing pressing security issues.
Tajikistan, as one of the founders of the SCO, will continue to take the necessary efforts to unveil and strengthen its potential in this direction.
I wish you good health, prosperity, inexhaustible energy, and new achievements in your selfless service to the common cause.
President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon
To the team of the Executive Committee of the
Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Dear friends!
I sincerely congratulate you on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The historic decision of the heads of the Organization member-states to launch the work of the SCO RATS Executive Committee in Tashkent created the foundation for the formation of an effective mechanism and the development of practical cooperation to ensure regional security and stability.
In a short period, the RATS Executive Committee has demonstrated the effective contribution to resolving a range of issues and facilitation of the coordination of interaction between the competent authorities of the SCO member states in the fight against the three forces of evil, transnational organized crime, challenges in cyberspace, and illegal migration.
You have worked a lot to create a reliable legal and institutional framework for the regional structure.
Uzbekistan, as a co-founder of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the host of the Executive Committee, attaches great importance to further enhancing the role and expansion of the activities of RATS as a unique platform for multilateral cooperation in countering terrorism, extremism, radicalism and other threats.
In the context of new security challenges, we believe that the priority of the RATS work should lie in the further improvement of legal mechanisms, building up practical partnership, including the conduction of joint events aimed at preventing and promptly responding to emerging risks, ensuring a prosperous and formative life for peoples in the SCO space.
I am convinced that the experienced and professional team of the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure is capable of carrying out the most complex tasks and assignments.
Uzbekistan, in its turn, intends to continue to fully support the work of RATS and develop the necessary conditions for the improvement and reinforcement of our fruitful cooperation.
I wish the management and staff of the Executive Committee, and all our foreign partners, great success in their noble and responsible mission.
Sincerely,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev