MOSCOW, June 18 (RAPSI) – The Fourteenth Conference of Supreme Courts’ chairmen of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) member states began its work Tuesday in Russia’s Sochi.

The conference was opened by Chairman of Russia’s Supreme Court Vyacheslav Lebedev.

According to Lebedev, during the conference will discuss in depth questions of fighting transnational organized crime and countries’ experience in reduction of length of proceedings.

The presidential plenipotentiary for Russia’s Southern Federal District Vladimir Ustinov read the welcoming address of Vladimir Putin and announced the president’s proposal to discuss problems of combating terrorism and fighting transnational organized crime as well, and share best legal harmonisation practices.

At the end of the conference the participants will sign a joint declaration on further cooperation of highest judicial bodies of the SCO member countries.

Founded in 2001, the SCO comprises Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The organization consolidates efforts to counter terrorism and radicalization among member countries and works on other policy areas such as politics and trade.

In 2016, India and Pakistan joined the organization.