Russia really wanted Azerbaijan to gain the status of a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, realizing its desire to improve relations with the SCO, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for SCO, Director of the Asian and Pacific Cooperation of MFA of Russia, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Bakhtiyor Khakimov said today in an interview with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, commenting on the Caucasian results of the SCO summit in Ufa.
"Let me remind you that the application, which was submitted by Azerbaijan in 2012, as well as Armenia, was aimed at obtaining the status of an observer in the SCO. At that time, there was no question about the expansion of the organization, and in the course of discussions it was decided as something appropriate to refrain from expanding the number of observers, building a scheme in such a way that applicants had to pass through the step of partnership in the dialogue. There is a logic in it, because the partnership in the dialogue allows us to build practical cooperation, which is much more useful than just watching," Bakhtiyor Khakimov noted.
He stressed that the degree of Azerbaijan's further integration with the SCO is entirely dependent on the decisions made in Baku. "The potential of this country itself is well known. From the standpoint of economics, politics and culture, Azerbaijan, as well as other states that have become dialogue partners, is able to make a very significant contribution, since the SCO is a unique organization that represents the diversity of cultures, ethnic groups and religions. The arrival of new partners, new countries and new ideas are welcomed," he concluded.
We remind you that the reception of the status of SCO dialogue partner by Azerbaijan, along with Armenia, Cambodia and Nepal, was announced at the expanded meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Ufa by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
