The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has officially sent a note expressing its intention to obtain observer status in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). CIS Secretary General Sergei Lebedev said in an interview with Russian media.
He noted that the decision is largely formal, as cooperation between the two organizations has long been established. «We are simply formalizing this cooperation under a new status,» he said.
The move relates to the expansion of the CIS+ format, which was created earlier and allows external organizations and countries to participate in CIS activities as observers.
The granting of observer status is expected to be decided after coordination at the level of foreign ministries of CIS member states.
CIS officials emphasize that formalizing SCO’s observer status should strengthen coordination between the two major regional organizations and increase the effectiveness of joint projects.
