Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Reaches Major Economic Scale on Its 25th Anniversary
Celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary, the SCO draws attention with its massive population and economic volume. Turkey, meanwhile, maintains its relations through its dialogue partnership.
On its twenty-fifth anniversary, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has reached a population of billions and an economic size of trillions of dollars. The organisation, of which Turkey has been a dialogue partner since 2012, draws attention with its expanding structure.
Economic and Demographic Power
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation stands out with an economic size representing more than 42 percent of the world's population and approximately one-quarter of the global economy.
According to a study prepared by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, the organisation holds an important position in the fields of international trade, investment, energy, and transportation.
Number of Members and Growth Process
Founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the structure expanded over time to transform into a ten-member format.
The organisation significantly expanded its geographical and strategic sphere of influence with the participations of India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus.
Turkey's Position
Turkey, which is not a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, has taken part within the organisation with the status of dialogue partner since 2012.
Within the scope of this status, Turkey follows work in various areas such as counter-terrorism, transboundary crimes, energy, trade, and regional connectivity.
Emphasis on Strategic Autonomy
Prof. Dr. Emel Parlar Dal, a faculty member at Marmara University Faculty of Political Sciences, made evaluations regarding Turkey's relations with the organisation.
Stating that the development of relations should not be evaluated as a breakaway from the West, experts describe this as an effort to expand strategic autonomy.