Despite its membership in NATO, Turkey actively participates in the activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which is not directed against any other state, according to SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming.
Responding to a journalist's question about whether Turkey's NATO membership could hinder its potential SCO membership, Zhang Ming emphasized that Turkey, which became a dialogue partner in 2013, is a valued member of the SCO family.
"Since then, Turkey has been actively participating in our various events," he stated at a press conference.
Zhang Ming highlighted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent participation in the SCO summit held in Astana. He stressed that interactions with Turkey are based on the principles outlined in the SCO charter and the "Shanghai spirit."
The SCO secretary-general clarified that the organization's expansion follows legal provisions governing the admission of new members, taking into account the willingness of countries to participate in its activities.
"One of the main principles of the SCO is that its activities are not directed against third parties. It has always sought to strengthen cooperation and stability, not to create discord," he concluded.
The SCO was founded on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai. Initially comprising Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, it welcomed India and Pakistan in 2017 and Iran in 2023. At the Astana summit, a decision was made to admit Belarus to the organization.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials