TASHKENT, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The regional anti-terrorism agency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is playing an increasingly important role in maintaining security within the SCO region, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov said.

    In an interview with Chinese media before the June 15 SCO summit in Shanghai, China, Karimov said that in addition to fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism, today's SCO anti-terrorism agency should also crack down on the rampant activities by radical and extremist groups.

    The agency has made substantial efforts after it was established, said Karimov.

    It is becoming a body which can firmly crack down on the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and an effective mechanism for eliminating and coping with security threats and challenges in the 21st century, said Karimov.

    Established in 2001, the SCO comprises China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It has accepted Mongolia, Iran, Pakistan and India as observers. Enditem