SCO Evaluates Membership Opportunities for Yerevan and Baku

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is open to dialogue, communication, and various forms of cooperation with partner states, and if a consensus is reached, it is ready to accept countries that share the goals, objectives, and principles of the organization's charter.

The SCO Secretary-General, Nurlybek Yermekbayev, stated this in an interview with "Izvestia" when asked whether the door would remain closed for Baku and Yerevan on their path to full membership in the SCO.

"We do not use terms like 'blockade.' Any decision is the result of a consensus during discussions. Many issues require time for coordination and resolution. At the same time, the organization remains open to all those whose activities do not contradict its principles and interests," he said.

Previously, India had blocked Azerbaijan's application for SCO membership, while Pakistan had done the same for Armenia.