Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says Tehran has always contributed to peace and stability in the neighbouring Afghanistan because a stable and secure Afghanistan is highly critical for the regional security and development.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says his government is eager to see Iran joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as a full member, in a show of friendship between Tehran and Moscow.

President Hassan Rouhani says Iran welcomes the all-out development of its ties with Pakistan, and the two sides must use the extensive capacities available to further enhance the level of bilateral relations and cooperation, especially in the economic sphere.

While Russia has repeatedly backed Iran’s full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), some other members, particularly Tajikistan, seem to be opposed to the accession.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia-Pacific Affairs Ebrahim Rahimpour dismissed allegations that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif left the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in Tashkent as a sign of protest.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, June 24, that there are no obstacles for admitting Iran to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani is in Russia to participate in two major summits of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

President Rouhani is going to have a tight schedule during his two-day stay in the Russian city of Ufa.

Zarif lashed out at countries which employ double standards with regard to violence, including the crises in Syria and Yemen.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif has called for cooperation among regional states to fight terrorism and extremism.