Tajikistan’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran Nizomuddin Zohidi said on Sunday (May 30) that Iran’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has been on the agenda, according to IRNA.  Recall, Tajikistan currently holds the rotating presidency of the SCO.  

In a report released at a press briefing on the SCO, Tajik ambassador reportedly that the organization was originally established in the early years after the collapse of the USSR to solve border issues, but later expanded in terms of subjects as well as the number of member states.

Referring to the rotating chair of the organization, the diplomat said that currently Tajikistan presides over the international body and would host its summit in September when it would pass the chair to Uzbekistan.

IRNA says Zohidi pointed out that he was the first one to propose Iran’s membership, but that decisions in the organization were taken based on overwhelming consensus.

He reportedly acknowledged that Tajikistan supports Iran’s membership which is on the agenda and if other states agree, the body would move forward with the issue.

Zohidi also said that Dushanbe waited for the upcoming election in Iran to send an official invitation to the next president of Iran to attend the SCO summit in September.

Iran’s presidential election will be held on June 18 and the results are expected to be announced in a matter of hours or days after polls are closed.  The next President would assume office about one month after the results are approved.