Lavrov to Discuss Iran’s Full SCO Membership at Uzbekistan Meeting: Russia Official
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to raise the issue of Iran’s permanent membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at a Tuesday meeting of SCO foreign ministers in Uzbekistan, Russia's Special Presidential Envoy to the SCO Bakhtier Khakimov said.
"For instance, we will remind about Iran’s application, and there is also an application from Afghanistan. If we talk strictly about chronology, Iran filed its first application in 2006," Khaskovo said on Tuesday as cited by the Tass news agency.
He added, "...there is a common understanding that Iran is a real candidate for joining SCO as an official full-fledged member. We do not see any obstacles, taking into account the fact that (anti-Tehran) sanctions are being lifted.”
"I know that our minister (Lavrov) will voice this, and this topic is under discussion. Our minister will propose this, and colleagues unofficially discussed it yesterday (during a working dinner)," Khaskovo further said.
The Council of Foreign Ministers of SCO member countries will meet today in Tashkent. In 2016, Uzbekistan chairs the organization, and the SCO summit will be held in Tashkent on June 23-24.
Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are the six permanent members of the SCO. Iran, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia have observer status.
The SCO was formed in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to curb extremism in the region and enhance border security.
The intergovernmental organization seeks to strengthen mutual trust and good neighborly ties between the member countries, contribute to regional stability and facilitate cooperation in different sectors, including political, trade, economic and energy issues.