TASHKENT - The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Friday, for the first time in its history, approved the legal basis for the admission of new member states, clearing the way for more Asian countries to join the emerging bloc.
Although some experts expect the SCO to develop into a group similar to the European Union, most believe it will remain prudent on expansion to maintain efficiency.
Heads of state of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as delegates from Kyrgyzstan, agreed the move at an annual summit in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent.
Muratbek Imanaliyev, secretary-general of the SCO, told Russian media the legal document would define those countries that can be classed as nation applicants, which can aspire to full membership of the SCO after completing the necessary formalities.
The expansion of the organization, which covers 60 percent of the total territories of Euro-Asia and includes a quarter of the world's population, is a hot topic.
Observer nations such as India, Pakistan and Iran have expressed intentions to join the SCO, which means the bloc embracing China, Russia and Central Asian nations will possibly be expanded to South Asia and the Middle East. Many other countries in the region, including Afghanistan, have made similar appeals.
However, Iran's path was blocked on Thursday when a fourth round of United Nations sanctions fell on Teheran for its nuclear activities. The SCO has stated any country under UN sanctions cannot be admitted.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did not attend the summit.
