Tianjin (Monitoring Desk) :
Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed that applications from ten additional countries seeking membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) are currently under review. Speaking at a major SCO summit held in the Chinese city of Tianjin, President Putin emphasized that the most crucial aspect for any prospective member is to share the organization’s values and principles, pursue an independent foreign policy, and work collectively to address key global challenges.
According to Russian news agency TASS, President Putin stated that each of the membership applications deserves the most careful and friendly consideration. He stressed that the SCO is not just a regional bloc but a growing platform for multilateral cooperation, and this latest interest from new countries underscores the organization’s rising global significance.
“This is not the first time that such a large-scale SCO summit has taken place, bringing together heads of state from member countries, leaders from observer states, dialogue partners, and heads of major international organizations,” he said. “It clearly demonstrates the increasing attention and interest the international community has in the SCO’s multi-faceted activities.”
President Putin also noted that a growing number of countries are now seeking open and equal dialogue with the SCO. The organization currently comprises 10 full members, including Russia, China, India, and Pakistan. It also includes two observer states—Mongolia and Afghanistan—and 15 dialogue partners.
The SCO continues to expand its influence on the global stage, with its core mission centered around regional cooperation, security, economic development, and mutual respect among its diverse member states.
