At least five countries have applied for observer status, Mehrdad Kiaei, national coordinator of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the SCO Secretariat, told Izvestia. These are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Sri Lanka, Izvestia reported.

"Several countries have applied to join, including Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Armenia, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan and others. These countries (except Bangladesh) want to change their status from that of a dialog partner to that of an observer. We, in principle, are ready to consider this issue and in coordination with the relevant applicants and member states of the organization to come to some conclusion,” Mehrdad Kiaei said.

He said, “They should first become observers, and they can only be full participants.” Bangladesh is not among the dialog partners, but on the way to observer status, this stage can be bypassed, Mehrdad Kiaei said. It requires the agreement of all members of the organization.