SCO expected to embrace new members in upcoming Tashkent summit

It is worth to mention that SCO summit in Tashkent will be held on 23-24 June 2016.

If so, the SCO will move a step closer in expanding its membership, the China’s People’s Daily reported.

Inclusion of India and Pakistan in the SCO membership was first approved at the SCO summit held in Ufa in Russia last year.

Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Huilai said in a press conference Wednesday that China, as a member of the SCO, welcomes membership applications from all qualified nations willing to join the organization.

China will also work with other members to study on relevant application based on legal documents on membership expansion, he pledged.

The organization is now assessing applications for dialogue partner status from five more nations, Rashid Alimov, General Secretary of the SCO, said.

Rashid Alimov noted that new members of the SCO should join to over 30 documents, including main document on agreement on long-term friendly neighborhood, friendship and cooperation.

He said that India and Pakistan were SCO observers for almost 11 years and decision to become full-fledged member is well-thought move. He added that both countries share values of the SCO Charter.

Alimov said that SCO, India and Pakistan will win from full-fledge membership of these countries in the organization.