Iran to Formally Join SCO Next Week: Russia's FM


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran will be formally approved as a member of the regional Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) with China, Russia and Central Asian countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

"At the meeting of heads of state on July 4, the full membership of Iran will be approved," Lavrov said at the opening of an SCO center in Moscow.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian later had a phone conversation with Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Zhang Ming, Iran's foreign ministry said.

"I am confident that the full membership of Iran will provide a novel and increasing capacity to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation," Amirabdollahian said according to a statement, barrons.com reported.

Zang pointed out that Iran's membership would be officially announced at the upcoming meeting of the organization.

"From July 4th, Iran will enjoy all the rights related to the member countries of the organization," he said.