(File photo)

DALIAN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) pledged here Thursday to strengthen border security cooperation to fight terrorism, secessionism and extremism.

Plans for joint border defense action this year and the work of a team of experts in 2018 were approved by the fifth meeting of the leaders of border administration authorities of SCO member states, held in northeast China's costal city of Dalian.

The meeting, chaired by China, was attended by more than 30 representatives of India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorism Agency.

The meeting decided to include the joint border defense action into a three-year cooperation program of SCO member countries to fight terrorism, secessionism and extremism.

Border departments of SCO member countries will deepen border law enforcement cooperation, organize regular meetings and carry out personnel training, according to the meeting.

Chen Dingwu, head of the border administration of China's Ministry of Public Security, said border law enforcement has become one of the important cooperation mechanisms among SCO member countries.

Joint law enforcement actions and practical cooperation have been carried out in border administration, anti-terrorism and crackdown on cross-border crimes, which maintained the security and stability of border areas of SCO member countries, he said.