Share :

Download PDF :

News.am (27 August 2025)

Armenia's decision to formally apply for membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) reflects a blend of continuity and change, according to Vahe Gevorgyan, Armenia's Ambassador to China.

In an exclusive interview with CGTN, Gevorgyan explained that Armenia's longstanding relationship with the SCO, as a dialogue partner since 2016, provides a solid foundation for the move. "We have established good working relations with the SCO secretariat and key member states," he said. At the same time, he emphasized that the decision also marks a shift, with the recent expansion of the SCO bringing it closer to Armenia's borders and opening a new chapter in the country's involvement with the multilateral organization.

At the heart of Yerevan’s application is a stated belief in multilateralism. The Ambassador stressed that Armenia seeks to “diversify our relations with key countries of the world, but also with multilateral organizations.” For him, the timing carries particular weight: “In a time of decline of multilateralism, regional multilateral organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are very important — to share their principles, and adhere to their spirit.”

Click for more.