Full Membership in SCO Hailed as Diplomatic Achievement

President Ebrahim Raeisi said the approval of Iran’s application for permanent membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a “diplomatic achievement”, calling on the Foreign Ministry and other relevant ministries to seize the new opportunity to connect to major Asian economic sources.
“Iran’s permanent membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which took place at the Tajikistan summit, was a diplomatic success,” Raeisi said on Saturday on returning from a three-day visit to Tajikistan, where he attended the 21st SCO summit, President.ir reported. 
He said Iran’s presence in the SCO as a member state would create a “strong economic connection” for the country, through which it would be linked to Asia’s sustainable resources.
“Connecting to the economic resources of Asia is a valuable opportunity for the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.
The SCO on Friday approved documents for Iran’s full membership at the Eurasian political, economic and security alliance at its 21st summit in Tajikistan’s capital of Dushanbe.
Raeisi said his visit to Tajikistan had different aspects, including the implementation of Iran’s foreign policy in the fields of “economic diplomacy and neighborhood policy,” which would open a new chapter in relations with Tajikistan.
Pointing to his meetings with senior officials of regional countries, he said that in talks with Tajikistan’s president and authorities, the sides agreed to open a new chapter in economic, political and cultural relations.
He said during a security meeting on Afghanistan, which was held on the sidelines of the SCO Summit, Iran’s stances were explained and the participants reached a consensus on the situation in the war-ravaged country.
“They agreed that they should pursue the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan with the participation of all ethnic groups that can represent the dear people of Afghanistan,” Raeisi stated.
He expressed hope that the achievements of the visit would lead to “effective practical steps” toward the country’s economic growth and that Iranian economic players, investors and the people would take advantage of this opportunity and its benefits.