Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) Secretary General  Rashid Alimov have signed a memorandum of understanding to give Armenia a parnter status within the Organization.
In a speech at the ceremony in Beijing on Friday, Armenia’s top diplomat highlighted the importance of the country’s cooperation with the SCO, describing it as a key platform for developing a dialogue.
He also highlighted the document’s value as a measure outlining the key trends of cooperation in promoting regional security and stability, joint anti-terrorism efforts, and fight against drug-trafficking and transnational organized crime, reports the Foreign Ministry’s press service.
The minister further emphasized the importance of the deal as a key legal basis to develop a multi-lateral cooperation in trade and investments, energy and transport and telecommunication between Armenia and the SCO member states.

Highlighting the new cooperation for his part, Mr Alimov said he feels happy to involve a country with such an ancient history in the Organization.
The sides agreed that the new partnership relations will mark a new phase for developing the mutual ties and opening prospects for deepening the cooperation.
Established in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has six member states: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.