Russia welcomes Iran, India and Pakistan joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Secretary General Dmitry Mezentsev said.
He recalled that, along with India, Pakistan and Iran that have applied for full membership of the SCO, several states are trying to get the status of observers and dialogue partners. Applications for observer status were filed by Syria, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Bangladesh.
"Recently we received an application from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Maldives asking for the status of a dialogue partner," TASS cited Mezentsev.
According to him, such an application was also received from Nepal. In March 2013 a request was received from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for the status of a dialogue partner. Then, in July 2014, that application was "verbally confirmed," he said.
"We value and appreciate these applications and attention to the organisation’s activity. This is an indication that the organisation has gained credibility and influence in the region," Mezentsev concluded, who called the SCO a "unique international union."
The summit of SCO and BRICS will take place in Ufa on July 8-10, 2015.
