Syria, Israel, Egypt willing to join SCO's activity - president's special envoy
TASHKENT. June 23 (Interfax) - Syria, Israel and Egypt are among the countries willing to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in one status or another, the Russian president's special envoy for SCO affairs Bakhtiyer Khakimov said.
"Syria, Israel and Egypt are among the countries willing to join the activity of the SCO in one status or another," he told reporters.
He said that Syria and Egypt addressed the relevant request last year and Israel this year.
Moreover, initially, Damascus requested observer state status; however, it was explained that first it is necessary to become a dialogue partner of the organization, he said.
Israel and Egypt requested dialogue partner status at once, he said.
"We will gradually settle all these issues. We explain to our friends that we gladly accept their requests, we will consider and develop them, but at first let us integrate new dialogue partners," he said.
Commenting on the willingness of Israel to cooperate with the SCO, Khakimov said that it is "an indication of the genuine interest the SCO's activities cause."
"Back in the day, the Americans showed interest, and European partners are interested as well in the way the SCO operates," he said.