The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (RATS SCO) and Sri Lankan Defense Ministry will in the near future finish the preparation of the legal base for cooperation, RATS press service said on Monday.

According to the spokesperson, the parties have established the information exchange process regarding the fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism.

The press service added that RATS and Sri Lankan Defense Ministry already had a meeting in late 2016, during which the parties have "pointed out the progress in preparation of the protocol."

The SCO is a political, military and economic alliance comprising Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Belarus, Mongolia, Iran, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan hold observer status in the organization, while Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Armenia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka have the status of dialogue partners. RATS, headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is a permanent SCO body that serves to promote cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism among its member states.