There are no obstacles to Iran becoming a full member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization after the resolution of its nuclear issue, Russian UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said.
On Friday, the UN Security Council held a session on the issue of the world body’s cooperation with regional organizations such as SCO.
“We consider there are no obstacles left for a positive consideration of its [Iran’s] membership application after the resolution of the situation on Iran’s nuclear program and lifting of the UN sanctions [under the July 2015 deal between Iran and major powers],” Churkin was quoted as saying by Sputnik.
SCO is a political, economic and military alliance that includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Iran, Belarus, Mongolia, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan hold observer status in the organization, while Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Armenia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka hold status of dialogue partners.
Pakistan, India and Iran have officially applied for SCO membership.
Since 2008, Russia has been advocating the idea of Iran’s SCO accession, but the process was complicated by the sanctions regime against Tehran, which has been lifted recently.
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