Interaction and cooperation of the member states of the SCO in the context of regional security: lessons, challenges and prospects

The author considers the main areas of cooperation of SCO member states in the framework of the international organization (the state security and the fight against terrorism, territorial integrity and stability, education, health, environment). The stages of security policy of the SCO are determined. The events of recent years have witnessed the growing negative trends in the SCO region and adjacent territories. The fight against international terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking has become the focal activity of the SCO's security. It is obvious the necessity of diversification of foreign relations and finding new partners who would not seek to have a noticeable impact on the configuration of alliances and integration structures in the region. Moreover, the author analyzes the problems and prospects of further cooperation and expanding the influence of the international organization. The directions for the strategy of integration of the SC are proposed.