Turkey seeks to formally join accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday. The remark came after the summit of the group wrapped up in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Erdogan took part in this year’s event as a special guest. Our relations with these countries will be moved to a much different position with this step, Erdogan told reporters on board his plane.

https://i0.wp.com/www.handelsblatt.com/images/sco-gipfel-in-samarkand/28682580/2-format2020.jpg?w=696&ssl=1

The SCO is an economic integration and trust-building alliance that was founded in 2001, and is now the world’s largest regional bloc. Currently, the SCO brings together China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan.

https://i0.wp.com/moderndiplomacy.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sco-flags.jpg?w=696&ssl=1

There are also four observer states – Afghanistan, Mongolia, Belarus, and Iran – which are seeking to become full-fledged members of the bloc, with the two latter nations already having launched the accession process.

Turkey, alongside Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, is currently recognized as a special ‘dialogue partner’ of the group. The SCO also launched the process for granting such status to Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia back in September 2021.

RT. com / ABC Flash Point Economic Cooperation News 2022.

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Fair-Just
Fair-Just
Member
Reply to  baronmaya
17-09-22 22:52

Mr Putin: Turks put their necks out for you, you need to do a lot more than this, like free gas and oil for this country, or they will cave in, they do not have Russias power, they can NOT hold on like you do against this storm of attacks are coming their way. sorry but while you Goliath about oil, gas profits , if you want Turks as an ally, reject western pressure to join them against Russia, please start doing things much more helpful, US Targeting Turks ,they are trying to force Turks to be an enemy of… Read more »

Donnchadh
Donnchadh
Guest
Reply to  Fair-Just
18-09-22 05:49

The problem is President Erdogan is playing both sides against the middle and its a question of trust –so saying “Turks are putting their necks out for you ” isn’t really true -might be part true but that’s as far as it goes . Free oil & gas ??? what world do you live in -ask the Americans that and they would laugh at you-your real point is the USA is helping Greece along with the EU who-traditionally is your “enemy ” so you want the SCO to do what you want but the SCO is firstly an Economic grouping… Read more »

Fair-Just
Fair-Just
Member
Reply to  Donnchadh
18-09-22 10:08

As the second largest NATO military force they have a driving seat position and are doing just fine for now?

Donnchadh
Donnchadh
Guest
Reply to  Fair-Just
18-09-22 10:36

“Doing just fine ” ??- are you sure your Turkish ?— inflation nearly 80 % –consumer prices up by 175 % since last year -Istanbul Chamber of Commerce said its inflation is 94 % -Turkish Lira at record low — no Wonder your President is worried about the upcoming election as Opposition parties are gaining ground .

Lecrodectus
Lecrodectus
Member
Reply to  baronmaya
02-03-23 21:52

comment image

Who-Benefits
Who-Benefits
Member
17-09-22 22:51

Wow! One leader after another sees the future in SCO, BRICS, other than West!
If Turkey really mean it, it is likely give up the NATO membership, the EU inspiration, down the track!

Bimbo
Bimbo
Member
18-09-22 10:14

Turkey’s major export partners (70% of their total export) are 1) Germany 2) USA 3) UK 4) Italy respectively. Just today the US government announced that they will be lifting the arms embargo on Turkey’s nemesis Cyprus. The US will be selling/donating sophisticated anti-ship missiles and warplanes to Cyprus. This was a direct response to Erdogan’s flirtation with Putin and attending the SCO gathering. Turkey’s economy is bult on dollarisation and it can totally collapse in less than a day. Russia alone cannot bailout Turkey and China is not a trustworthy ally to depend on.

Donnchadh
Donnchadh
Guest
Reply to  Bimbo
18-09-22 10:47

Second last sentence – correct but the last sentence “China not trustworthy ??-you do know China bailed out Turkey when it ran out of foreign reserves -$400,000,000 million and that China bought 48 % of Kumport Terminal for $940 million and China is building Turkish infrastructure to help its “Belt & Road ” .I would say that’s pretty trustworthy compared to two-faced lying -backstabbing USA .

King Kong
King Kong
Member
Reply to  Donnchadh
18-09-22 19:51

China picking up the pieces in Turkey, Syria, Iran and Greece?