Defense ministers from the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will meet here Wednesday on issues concerning regional security, a Chinese Defense Ministry source said Saturday.

The defense ministers from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will also discuss the fight against the "three forces" of separatism, terrorism and extremism, and other issues of common concern.

The regional organization was founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, with the member countries aiming to promote regional security and fight terrorism. Its four observer states are Mongolia, Pakistan, India and Iran.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2006)