The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states signed a joint declaration on Friday in Shanghai in a bid to enhance judicial cooperation.

The joint declaration was signed by the presidents of the supreme courts of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan at the first SCO supreme court presidents conference, which opened here on Thursday.

Judicial exchanges and cooperation among the supreme courts of SCO member countries will help to maintain and boost trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination, and be conducive to sustained peace and common prosperity in the region, the declaration reads.

SCO member states will reinforce cooperation in areas including extradition, deportation,conducting investigations and obtaining evidence, as well as handling the property of suspected criminals, according to the declaration.

The declaration also said the member countries will also promote regular judicial cooperation and coordination in areas such as security.

The regional group was founded on June 15, 2001, when the six heads of state signed the Shanghai Pact.

Xiao Yang, president of China's Supreme People's Court, said at the closing ceremony of the conference that the joint declaration was significant for enhancing mutual understanding, trust and cooperation, as well as for maintaining regional peace, stability and security.

Source: Xinhua