Iran: Iran set to join Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, has his country is ready to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

IRNA reports that after meeting with Tajik President Imomali Rakhmon on Monday, Mottaki told reporters, "Iran has observer status in the SCO and has recently requested for membership which Tajikistan government has supported it."

He added President Rakhmon's visit to Tehran, less than two months ago, and his talk with President Ahmadinejad in Dakar, Senegal, around two weeks ago, created new grounds for developing cooperation between Iran and Tajikistan.

The foreign minister added, "Creating and strengthening transitional infrastructures between the two countries will lead to consolidation of ties with central Asian countries and will facilitate cooperation among countries of the region.