Iran’s SCO accession will bring economic, cultural, tourism benefits: Journalist

By Mahmoud Pirhayati

Iran's full accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) allows the country to derive tremendous economic and tourism benefits, a Kyrgyz journalist says.  

In an interview with the Press TV website, Aida Imanakunovna, the director general of the NTC radio and television network of Kyrgyzstan highlighted the long-term and positive impact of Iran’s full membership in the Eurasian multilateral organization, saying it will "accelerate" the development of economic, cultural, and tourism cooperation between Iran and other SCO members.

She noted that through relying on "clever plans," the lofty goals of sustainable development and mutually beneficial cooperation can be realized.

At the 23rd virtual summit of the SCO Council of Heads of States on July 4, Iran gained full membership of the world’s largest regional organization in terms of geographic scope and population.

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s national flag was hoisted at the bloc’s Secretariat in Beijing on July 5.

Iran first applied for membership in the alliance 15 years ago, but it took until 2021 for the request to be approved, with China and Russia playing a key role in finalizing the bid.

The SCO, which is headquartered in China, has seven other members, namely Russia, India, Pakistan, and the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Kyrgyzstan, or the Kyrgyz Republic, was a co-founder of the multilateral bloc founded in 2001.

Iran gains full Shanghai Cooperation Organization membership

Iran officially becomes a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Iran and the organization started a formal process for Tehran’s accession to the bloc in March 2022.

In September of the same year, Iran signed a memorandum of commitment to join the SCO. A month later, the Iranian parliament approved the country's accession to the organization.

Media cooperation

Elsewhere in her remarks, Imanakunovna emphasized the importance of strengthening media cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Iran, highlighting the need for exchanging media delegations to enhance understanding between journalists from both countries and their respective viewpoints.

She noted that increased cooperation between Iranian and Kyrgyz media organizations would bring the two nations closer together and facilitate a better understanding of each other's perspectives.

Cooperation on sports

Imanakunovna also expressed hope that Iran and Kyrgyzstan would develop cooperation in sports.

She described sports as a universal language for peace, saying there are no obstacles in the way of further deepening bilateral relations between the two countries in this regard.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk