The Republic of Armenia has officially announced its intention to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
The country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement regarding this matter. The statement emphasized that Armenia is familiar with the main principles of the SCO — territorial integrity, non-use of force, and inviolability of borders — and is ready to become a full member of the organization.
According to official sources, Armenia is adopting the principles of the SCO as an important part of its political strategy. This decision marks a new direction in the country's foreign policy, as Yerevan, which has sought to maintain a balance between the West and Russia in recent years, is now trying to expand cooperation with regional organizations.
For reference, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was established in 2001 and includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as members. If Armenia joins the SCO, the political and geographical influence of the organization may further strengthen.
So far, Armenia's membership application has not been officially accepted, and there has been no response from the SCO regarding this matter. Therefore, the future outcomes of this initiative will become clear over time.
