21 Jan 2016 16:13

Russian Foreign Ministry: Lifting of sanctions from Iran opens way to practical debate on Tehran's membership in SCO

MOSCOW. Jan 21 (Interfax) - The lifting of the international sanctions from Iran will help begin practical debate on the issue of Iran's joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

"Launching this process [the beginning of the implementation of the agreements on the Iranian nuclear program] is the foundation for lifting the international sanctions on Tehran and, consequently, opens up the way to a practical debate on the relevant request from Tehran for SCO membership," Russian Foreign Ministry official Maria Zakharova told a briefing.

"Russia is ready to promote the launch of such a process," she said.