Envoy: Russia supports Azerbaijan’s admission to SCO as observer

Russia supports the admission of Azerbaijan to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as an observer, Russia’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov said at a press conference, Report informs.

“Participation of both Azerbaijan and Russia in the SCO will help strengthen bilateral cooperation in a number of trade, economic and cultural sectors,” the diplomat said.

“Azerbaijan enjoys great prestige in the international arena, the country’s authority is growing, and joining the SCO would correspond to this trend,” he added.

The Declaration on the establishment of the SCO was signed in Shanghai in June 2001 by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In 2017, India and Pakistan became full members of the SCO. Azerbaijan has the status of a dialogue partner in the organization.