By Rhod Mackenzie
Iran's two-year path to joining the SCO is finally over. Its membership of the organization will bring benefits not only to Tehran, but also to Russia and China and the other members of the SCO . What does the accession of the Islamic Republic to the association mean and how will it affect the future of the Eurasian space?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization which held its 23rd summit in India officially announced the entry of Iran into its ranks. A solemn ceremony of the raising the flag of the Islamic Republic was held at the SCO Secretariat in Beijing. The President of the new member state, Ebrahim Raisi, said that the country intends to expand its cooperation with Russia and other SCO members on the creation of transport corridors.
In particular, he pointed out the importance of its interaction with Moscow in the framework of the creation of a railway corridor that will ensure the normal functioning of supply chains. In addition, the head of state stressed that Iran would contribute to the implementation of such important projects as the North-South international transport corridor. It is noted that Tehran is ready to provide access to its own ports to those countries that do not have access to the sea.
The accession of Tehran was welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and he noted that Iran will need help to integrate into all processes of the organization. The Russian leader stressed that the authorities of the Islamic Republic had made all the necessary preparations for entry in less than two years.
The growth of the authority and influence of the SCO was also noted. According to Putin, this cannot but cause satisfaction. “They trust us, they want to be friends and cooperate with us,” the President of the Russian Federation added.
Lets recall that Tehran decided to join the SCO in 2021. Then, at the summit in Dushanbe, the document “On the beginning of the procedure for admitting the Islamic Republic of Iran to the SCO membership” was approved. The country's President Ebrahim Raisi stressed that this step would open up opportunities for Tehran to join the trade routes of Eurasia. In 2022, at the SCO summit in Samarkand, the republic signed a memorandum of commitment in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The analyst community notes that Iran was finally able to complete its two-year journey. Now the state, firstly, will be able to become a reliable partner, strengthening the international weight of the organization. Secondly, Tehran's membership in the SCO will make it easier for Iran to live under US sanctions.
“The decision on Iran's entry into the SCO was made two years ago, and now this procedure has come to an end. For Tehran, membership in the organization is quite prestigious. This is a demonstration that the country, despite all the efforts of its opponents, is not isolated. In addition, membership opens up new economic and logistical opportunities for the state,” said Fyodor Lukyanov, a political scientist and editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs magazine.
“Since one of the goals of the SCO is to form a mechanism for regulating political processes in Eurasia, the entry of Iran as an influential regional power will have a positive impact on the authority and capabilities of the organization. Tehran also has practically no contradictions with other member countries, which is a definite plus. Previously, the accession of India and Pakistan, which are in conflict with each other, led to a "stupor" in the work of the association. Now this will not happen again, ”the analyst notes.
“Iran is a country friendly to Russia. So its entry into the SCO is positive news for us. Most likely, Tehran's membership in the organization will expand opportunities for the implementation of joint regional projects,” Lukyanov emphasized.
“Tehran's accession to the SCO opens up tremendous economic opportunities for each country participating in the association, since relations with the Islamic Republic acquire a different legal status,” said Vladimir Sazhin, an employee of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
“For Iran itself, joining the SCO is a breath of fresh air. For a long time, the country was under pressure from US sanctions. Now, Tehran is opening up the huge markets of the countries participating in the association, where you can buy goods that were previously closed to," the analysts emphasizes.
“For Russia, the accession of Iran is also important. Today, relations between Moscow and Tehran are experiencing a "golden age". In addition, this will allow us to establish more fruitful economic cooperation with the republic,” the interlocutor notes.
“However, China benefits the most from Tehran's entry into the union. Beijing is working hard to implement the Belt and Road Initiative. Within the framework of this project, Iran can become a powerful transport hub linking China with the countries of the Middle East. This will allow the Celestial Empire to turn into a real trading giant,” Sazhin believes.
“Let me remind you that it was Beijing that mediated the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Islamic Republic and Saudi Arabia. Chinese diplomats are actively promoting peace in the Middle East, and Tehran's accession to the SCO will significantly accelerate the implementation of China's economic plans,” the analyst emphasizes.
“Thus, the integration of Iran into the structures of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is beneficial to everyone. This is an influential state with impressive economic and political prospects,” Sazhin concluded.
This article originally appeared in Russian at vz.ru