Ali Rezvanapour called the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) a platform for Iran to achieve its major goals in foreign policy and said; “In a security, political and economic perspective, membership in this organization is of ...
Ali Rezvanapour called the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) a platform for Iran to achieve its major goals in foreign policy and said; “In a security, political and economic perspective, membership in this organization is of great importance for Iran.”
The "Special Dialogue" had an interview with Dr. Ali Rezvanpour, an expert on international affairs, regarding the meeting between the heads of SCO member countries and the Iranian president’s participation in the summit.
Ali Rezvanpour explained about the background of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization; “This organization was founded in the 2001 with the cooperation of five countries. In 2004, countries such as India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran were added, some of which are observer members, including Iran.
Regarding the objectives of the SCO he mentioned; "The main purpose of this organization was political and security cooperation to pave the way for the military elimination of Western countries, especially the United States, from the Central Asia and the Caucasus. Subsequently, there were proposals for developing the economic, trade, security and political cooperation and the fight against drug trafficking between the member states.”
Rezvanpour stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran attempts to become a comprehensive member of this organization. Regarding the reasons, he said; “(Membership in this organization) is a significant priority for Iran in terms of security and politics, since Russia and China are two of the SCO’s main member states. These two countries are also among the permanent members of the UN Security Council and have veto power. Four of the world's nine nuclear nations are also members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.”
He pointed out the other advantages of the SCO full membership and thus, the significance of the Iranian President participation in the summit; “Membership of this organization includes financial profits. Considering the Islamic Republic of Iran’s approach in terms of looking to the East, permanent membership in this organization can provide the basis for comprehensive development with neighbors and Eastern countries.”
Rezvanapour called the Shanghai Cooperation Organization a platform for Iran to achieve its major goals in foreign policy and said; “The Shanghai Summit held in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, can expand Iran's approaches in the fields of security, politics and economy with member countries.”
Asked why Iran had been an observer member and hasn’t yet become a permanent member of the SCO, he said; “Some components caused some of the founding members of this organization to be cautious in this regard. Iran has been subject to the US cruel sanctions since the victory of the Islamic Revolution. Those sanctions made it difficult for Iran to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.”
By Zahra Judaki
