Publish Date: 14 September 2022 - 12:28

Tehran, IRNA – A bill on accession of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has been verified by the cabinet members and it has been handed over to parliament for ratification, an official said.

Ali Bahadori Jahromi, spokesman of the administration of President Ebrahim Raisi, wrote on his Twitter account on Wednesday that the accession bill has been submitted to parliament for legal process following verification in the cabinet.

Iran’s accession to the SCO, which is the biggest regional market in the world, is being pursued by the administration in a bid to guarantee national interests and develop a balanced foreign policy, the spokesman noted.

President Raisim, heading a political and economic delegation, plans to travel to Samarqand in Uzbekistan with the aim of participating in the 22nd summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, he added.

The SCO established in June 15, 2001 in Shanghai, China, by Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and China. Eight states of India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan comprise the regional economic organization at present.

Four countries of Afghanistan, Belarus, Mongolia and Iran have received observer status, while six states of Azerbaijan Republic, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka possess dialogue partners status.

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