Russia sees Pakistan's accession to SCO as mutually beneficial

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) would benefit from Pakistan's joining the alliance, Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin said Wednesday.

"We expect the political decision to start the procedure of Pakistan's accession will be made at the upcoming SCO summit in Ufa (the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan)," Naryshkin told visiting Pakistani Army Chief Raheel Sharif.

The SCO and Pakistan will both benefit from such a decision and Moscow supports the interests of Pakistan and the efforts it made to join the bloc, the Interfax news agency quoted Naryshkin as saying.

The Duma speaker added that the two countries share "special and independent values," while Moscow "unconditionally" supports Islamabad in fighting drug trafficking, terrorism and religious extremism, in particular the Islamic State.

Sharif, for his part, voiced his confidence that his visit would enhance the interaction and cooperation in all spheres between the two countries.

On Monday, Sharif discussed issues of regional security, bilateral defense cooperation and high-level military exchanges with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Moscow and Islamabad have been strengthening military cooperation in recent years. Last November, Shoigu visited Pakistan and signed a military cooperation agreement with his Pakistani counterpart. Endi