China, Russia reiterate opposition to distorting history, whitewashing fascism

"Other countries would like to strengthen their contacts with our organization. This is natural as it gains more weight and importance because it addresses the most important questions for our nations and for the region as a whole," said Putin.

"Our partners from 12 countries are showing interest in its work, apart from the current members of the organization," Putin said.

Putin said the realization of two big projects -- the Silk Road initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union -- was in the interest of SCO members.

He expressed hope that participants of the foreign ministers' meeting in Moscow would support and help the projects.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow last month, China and Russia signed a joint statement on integrating China's Silk Road Economic Belt initiative with Russia's aspiration under the Eurasian Economic Union framework.

They pledged to maintain a continuous and stable economic growth in the region, strengthen regional economic integration, and safeguard peace and stability on the Eurasian landmass.

Founded in 2001, the SCO has China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as its full members, with Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan as observers and Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka as dialogue partners.

Russia holds the rotating presidency of the SCO in 2015, with a summit to be held in Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia, in July.