Beijing, June 23, IRNA � Iran's Ambassador to Seoul Hassan Taherian said permanent membership of Iran in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will enhance Tehran's positive role in international and regional arenas.


Speaking to IRNA Thursday, Taherian said such membership will create proper opportunities for SCO member countries, taking of which will benefit all.

Iran acts as an observer in the SCO.

Once Iran becomes a permanent member of the organization, the ground will be prepared for the SCO to make use of considerable capacities and potentialities in different areas in Iran, Taherian said.

Referring to important situation Asia will have in the future of international system, the diplomat said, Asian powers like Iran should internationally introduce their foothold and provide proper places for promotion of economic cooperation.

He further pointed out to religious, cultural, historical and racial commonalities between Iran and members of SCO.

As Iran is a pioneer in fighting terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking operations and all those issues had been major reasons for foundation of SCO, the country can share its valuable experiences in that areas with member states, he noted.

Then, he hoped legal obstacles as well as Western bans to Iran's permanent membership in the SCO would be removed during the 16th SCO summit being held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on June 23.24.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization enjoys six permanent members including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It has also five observers including Iran, India, Pakistan, Mongolia and Afghanistan.

SCO was founded in 2001 for the purpose of cultural, economic and security cooperation.

By IRNA