Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Baku, November 19 (Xinhua) — Through cooperation mechanisms with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and subsequently as a member of this organization, Yerevan will gain additional opportunities to institutionalize and deepen its strategic relations with China, India, and Iran, as well as with the countries of Central Asia. This is in line with Armenia's strategic interests in strengthening its sovereignty and its place in the South Caucasus region, which is increasingly being perceived as a bridge between East and West. This was stated recently by Johnny Melikyan, a senior expert at the Armenian think tank Orbeli, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.
Speaking about Armenia's bid for full membership in the SCO, J. Melikyan emphasized that such an application underscores the country's desire for a diversified foreign policy in the context of changing regional dynamics.
Armenia already has dialogue partner status, and given its ties with key countries—Russia, China, India, and Iran—it fits naturally into the organization's architecture, stated J. Melikyan. He believes that equally important is the fact that, by the end of 2024, SCO countries collectively accounted for up to 60 percent of Armenia's foreign trade turnover.
According to a Xinhua source, Armenia's interest in the SCO is driven by the logic of a balanced foreign policy, as well as a desire to strengthen ties across various vectors of cooperation to enhance economic and geopolitical stability.
According to the expert, in the new geopolitical realities, Yerevan seeks to avoid unilateral dependence and is building a policy of pragmatic balance.
J. Melikyan noted that Armenia views the SCO and its “Shanghai spirit” as an additional platform for strengthening regional security and cooperation, including in areas such as trade, transport communications, and energy.
Speaking about the benefits of Armenia's accession to the SCO as a full member, the expert noted that SCO membership will provide greater opportunities for participation in China's Belt and Road Initiative, which, in turn, will facilitate the implementation of the Armenian government's "Crossroads of the World" initiative, aimed at transforming Armenia into a regional transport and logistics hub. All of this is consistent with Armenia's national strategy, which is focused on economic diversification, regional integration, and reducing the risk of isolation in the South Caucasus.
J. Melikyan believes that by joining the SCO, Armenia will be able to make a significant contribution to the development of transport and logistics, particularly within the Middle Corridor by integrating its "Crossroads of the World" initiative. The South Caucasus region could become a hub for the transit of freight and energy between Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. In the energy sector, cooperation could be realized through the development of renewable energy sources and the diversification of their supplies, given Armenia's experience in hydroelectric and solar energy. Thus, Armenia's participation in the SCO could impart a new dimension of Eurasian connectivity to the organization, uniting Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East in a practical manner.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.