Iran may become full SCO member in 2023
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The Uzbek Foreign Ministry says Iran may become a full-fledged member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
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The next SCO summit will be held on September 15-16 in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister, Vladimir Norov, said on Monday that if Iran fulfills its commitments under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's (SCO) international agreements, then it will become a full-fledged member in 2023.
Norov and SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming discussed earlier today the preparation and holding of the SCO meeting and Uzbekistan's chairmanship this year.
It is expected that Iran will sign a memorandum on its commitment to join the organization at the SCO summit, which is expected to be held on September 15-16 in Uzbekistan.
"This document enshrines Iran's obligations to join international treaties adopted within the SCO, as well as fixed amounts of contributions to the organization's budget and allowances at the SCO permanent bodies," Norov said.
The SCO's geographical responsibility will expand with Iran's entry and will pave the way for new cross-regional initiatives.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is an economic, political, and security alliance comprising China, India, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan. SCO Observer countries include Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia, with Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey, and Sri Lanka holding a dialogue partner status.
The SCO summit in Dushanbe last September began the procedure of Iran's accession as well as granting a SCO partner status to Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
