Erdogan: Turkey to Explore Full Membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Wednesday that Turkey is examining the possibility of elevating its ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a bloc led by China and Russia, to the level of full membership. Erdogan emphasized that such a move would not signify withdrawal from any existing alliances or a distancing from the West.

“The prospect of Turkey’s full membership in this organization does not mean separating from any other bloc or from the West,” Erdogan asserted. Turkey currently holds the status of a dialogue partner within the SCO.

These remarks were made by President Erdogan upon his return from Kyrgyzstan, where he participated in the SCO Heads of State Council meeting in Bishkek on Tuesday. The announcement comes amid Turkey’s ongoing efforts to maintain and expand its relationships with both Western countries and powers like Russia and China, while it remains a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Full membership for Turkey in the SCO could carry significant geopolitical implications, reflecting Ankara’s multifaceted foreign policy approach.