The desire of a large number of countries to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a natural and logical process. SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming said this on Wednesday at a press conference following a meeting in India of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the association's member states.
"I consider the development and expansion of the SCO an encouraging phenomenon. It shows that the basic norms and values that the SCO has adhered to for more than 20 years are increasingly recognized," Zhang Ming said.
"The expansion of the SCO is not a result that we consciously strive for, but a natural and legitimate process," he said. The secretary-general stressed that the SCO is an open organization that is ready to accept new members who share its values and principles.
Zhang Min recalled that currently the SCO includes eight member countries (India, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, China, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan). Four more countries have the observer status (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia). At the same time, Belarus and Iran are in the process of joining the SCO. In addition, the SCO also has 14 dialogue partner countries.
During the last SCO Ministerial Council meeting in India, Zhang Ming signed a memorandum of agreement with authorized representatives of the UAE, Kuwait, Myanmar and Maldives to become SCO dialogue partners.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS