Experts believe that rapprochement with the organization promises certain benefits to the country in the current economic and geopolitical situation in the world.
In June, Azerbaijan completed the process of joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a dialogue partner by ratifying the relevant memorandum, which was signed this spring. President Ilham Aliyev regarded his country’s acquisition of this status “as the first step towards full integration into the organization.” Receiving First Vice Premier of the State Council of China Zhang Gaoli in Baku, the Azerbaijani leader said that cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization “occupies an important place in the foreign policy” of his country.
According to many analysts, these statements by Aliyev can be considered significant, given Azerbaijan’s great focus on European integration. At the same time, this approach is quite consistent with the logic of the country’s foreign policy concept, which assumes a multi-vector and balanced approach, including in integration processes. Moreover, experts believe that rapprochement with the SCO promises certain benefits to Azerbaijan in the current economic and geopolitical situation in the world.