About 20 countries have applied to join the SCO in various statuses.

About 20 countries have submitted applications for joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in various statuses. This was announced on June 15 by the Secretary General of the organization, Nurlan Yermekbayev.

Speaking at a reception on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the SCO, Yermekbayev noted the increased interest in the activities of the structure from the international community. According to him, the current dynamics confirms the relevance of the organization's development vectors.

"There are about 20 applications in the basket of applications for joining the SCO in one status or another," Yermekbayev said, as quoted by RIA Novosti.

The Secretary General stressed that such a large number of official requests attests to the relevance of the values and principles on which the work of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is based.

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The declaration on the establishment of the SCO was adopted 25 years ago

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 4 that the SCO was created as a tool for resolving border issues, but has grown and become a significant force. He added that the results of the organization's work are of interest to both the Russian Federation and other member states.