Increased anti-terrorism cooperation is expected to be a top priority at this month's meeting of prime ministers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, observers said.

The planned withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2014 and the presidential election taking place there the same year have added a sense of urgency to the issue, they said.

Anti-terrorism efforts will help maintain peace and stability in Central Asia and northwestern China if the prime ministers can reach a consensus on effective measures for combating terrorism.