Algeria, along with Laos, applied for partner status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), declared Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during the SCO foreign ministers meeting held in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana on Tuesday, reported Russia’ outlet Sputnik.
Lavrov added that the status that Algeria has applied for intends to increase the effectiveness of collaboration with these nations in the SCO+ system and was considered at the SCO Foreign Ministers Council meeting.
He stated that a separate debate under the SCO+ format will take place during the SCO leaders’ meeting in Astana, to be held in July.
The foreign ministers of SCO member states will focus on preparing for the SCO heads of state council meeting in July.
Leaders will address worldwide and regional challenges, as well as the potential for multilateral collaboration within the organization. A number of bilateral discussions are expected to take the stage.
The SCO, created in 2001, is comprised of nine countries: India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
In addition, three states maintain observer status with the SCO (Belarus, Iran, Mongolia), and 14 nations are considered “conversation partners.” These countries include Turkey, Armenia, Egypt, UAE, Qatar, and KSA, among others.