MOSCOW: The discussion of the BRICS’ further expansion should be postponed until the Kazan summit, Russian Deputy foreign Minister, Russi...
MOSCOW: The discussion of the BRICS’ further expansion should be postponed until the Kazan summit, Russian Deputy foreign Minister, Russia’s Sherpa in the BRICS Sergey Ryabkov said in an interview for the first issue of TASS’ "BRICS bulletin."
"We must provide a platform for the countries, interested in rapprochement with the BRICS, where they will be able to work practically, without feeling left behind, and joining this cooperation rhythm. And as to how the further expansion will be decided upon - this should be postponed at least until the leaders convene in Kazan to decide," he said, answering a question if the BRICS expansion would continue during the Russian chairmanship.
Speaking about the most pressing issues faced by the association, the deputy foreign minister underscored that "the BRICS first needs to integrate those who have just joined."
"To make so that, as a ‘ten,’ we work at least as efficient, or, rather, more efficient than we did within the initial 'five'," Ryabkov explained. "The second goal, set by our leaders [during the 2023 summit] in Johannesburg - is to develop the category of partner states, to create a list of such states."
According to the diplomat, the twofold increase of a number of member states, which took place on January 1 this year, is "an unprecedented event for any international structure."
"Last year, it took an entire year to develop the admission, expansion criteria at the level of top officials. Many reasonable things were developed. And many of the things that were formulated back then got reflected in the list of countries that joined. But it would probably be improper to formalize the requirements. At the end of the day, an admission to the association is a subject of political decision," the high-ranking diplomat said.
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