The development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is directly linked to the prospect of its expansion, Moscow calls for positive consideration of Tehran's application for membership in the association. Sources in the Russian delegation said this position was expressed by the Russian side on Wednesday at a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the SCO member states in Dushanbe.
According to the delegation's sources, the Russian side is convinced that the prospect of the SCO progressive evolution "is directly linked to the expansion of its membership". The process should be gradual and based on ensuring a balance between member and observer states as well as dialogue partners. "We are convinced that the need to positively consider Iran's application for membership in the organization, which has been on the table since 2008, is long overdue," the Russian delegation said. They pointed out that Afghanistan's candidacy is not a question at this stage.
According to the Russian side, the key criteria is the applicant's "real readiness to make an effective, concrete contribution to the qualitative strengthening of the SCO, to enhance its international authority in terms of the processes unfolding on the Eurasian continent".
According to the source, the Russian delegation has drawn attention to the fact that the existing applications for observer status on the part of seven countries require additional study. Regarding the issue of granting the status of SCO dialogue partner to certain applicants, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Egypt, the Russian delegation said it was ready to discuss the relevant proposals.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS