Armenia Applies for Full Membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organization Amid Shifting Geopolitical Priorities

Armenia has formally applied to the membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), sparking renewed questions about the country’s current Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s political intentions.

“Yes, we have applied to join the SCO,” Pashinyan confirmed during a press conference in Yerevan on Wednesday. “This aligns with our strategy of balance and measured engagement.”

Armenia holds observer status in the SCO, a regional bloc involving such countries as Russia, China, India, among others.

However, Pashinyan’s attempt to balance things raises eyebrows for many. Some see it as contradictory, even misleading, given the Armenian prime minister’s remarks and actiooons to align himself with the West.

The move also comes as the SCO is reportedly undergoing internal changes, with discussions underway about phasing out the observer and associate member statuses altogether.

What Is the SCO?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a political, economic, and security alliance formed in 2001. It currently includes ten member states: China, Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus (since 2024). Combined, these countries represent a population of about 3.5 billion people. The organization operates in both Russian and Chinese.

Armenia first requested observer status in July 2024, the same year as neighboring Azerbaijan. Around the same time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also voiced interest in Turkey joining SCO as a full member nation.

A Shift Away from CSTO?

The decision to pursue closer ties with the SCO also shows Armenia’s strained tied with the the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). At the same press conference, Pashinyan hinted that Armenia is more likely to leave the CSTO altogether than resume active participation.

Armenia froze its involvement in the CSTO last year and cut its funding in 2025 , which was widely seen as a slap to a bloc that has historically provided Yerevan’s security.