SCO to merge observer, dialogue partner categories into single partner status

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is set to replace its separate categories of dialogue partners and observers with a single partner status, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Speaking to journalists after an SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, Lavrov said the proposal was part of preparations for the organisation’s summit scheduled to take place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, this autumn, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media. 

“We have worked productively. This is part of the preparations for the SCO summit, which will take place this autumn in Bishkek [the capital of Kyrgyzstan]. The draft documents for the leaders propose the creation of a universal centre to tackle new challenges and threats, and a centre to combat drug-related crime. And an announcement is due to be made that, instead of dialogue partners and observers, there will now be a single category of SCO partners,” Lavrov said.

According to the Russian foreign minister, the SCO currently has 10 member states, 15 partner countries and two observers. The 17 countries currently holding observer or dialogue partner status would be reclassified as partners under the proposed system.

“This entire group of 17 countries will be reclassified – I hope they will not object – to the status of partners,” Lavrov added.

By Sabina Mammadli