Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to raise the question of whether Iran should be invited to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during its upcoming meeting.

TASHKENT (Sputnik) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to raise the question of Iran’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during the upcoming SCO foreign ministerial meeting, Russian Presidential Envoy for the SCO Bakhtier Khakimov said Tuesday.

“There is a general understanding that Iran is an actual candidate in joining the SCO as an official full-fledged member and considering that sanctions are being lifted, we don’t see any obstacles. I know that our [foreign] minister will voice this and this topic is being discussed. Our minister will propose this,” Khakimov added,” Khakimov said.

The SCO is a political, economic and military alliance founded in 2001 by Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Belarus, Mongolia, Iran, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan hold observer status in the organization.

By Sputnik News