Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced his country’s aspiration to become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), at a press conference in Washington after the conclusion of the NATO summit.
“Turkey’s goal, which is now an observer in the SCO, is full membership. Now, it should join the Shanghai Five,” Erdogan stated.
The Turkish president attended the SCO summit held in Astana on July 3-4. SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming said that despite its membership of NATO, Turkey actively participates in the organization’s activities, which are not directed against other states. He emphasized that interaction with Ankara is based on the principles set out in the SCO charter and is in line with the “Shanghai spirit.”
