Sergey Lavrov reacts to NATO nation keen on joining BRICS, confirms "BRICS partner country" status for new members
As world leaders begin to gather in Kazan for BRICS summit meeting chaired by Russia, the country's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, explained about the keenness in many countries to join the fast emerging grouping.
Talking to Argumenty i Fakty newspaper, Moscow, Minister Lavrov explained that "BRICS epitomises the shifts that have long been underway in the global economy. New centres of economic growth are emerging, and alongside them comes financial influence, which in turn brings political influence".
"....BRICS has prioritised the needs of its nations, and interest in the grouping continues to grow. It is a consortium where no single nation leads or is led, devoid of the bureaucratic machinery akin to that observed in Brussels, where EU officials impose decisions that contravene the will and interests of several member states, failing to align with the aspirations of voters across many countries. Rather than addressing the challenges faced by EU members, the Brussels bureaucracy is preoccupied with the transfer of arms to Ukraine, raising funds for this purpose, and undertaking other actions detrimental to the economy, social sphere, and industry of EU member states", he said.
Lavrov also pointed out that BRICS does not compel any nation to make sacrifices. "Recently, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock remarked – and later reiterated – that she is aware German voters face hardships due to Germany's support for Ukraine, acknowledging a scarcity of resources for all, yet advocating patience. This logic of pressure from the European bureaucracy in Brussels, which seeks to dictate terms to its voters and member states, is entirely absent within BRICS", he said.
"Within BRICS, there is no imposition of such artificial objectives, nor is there an intention to contain any nation. This grouping does not stand in opposition to any entity, nor does it orchestrate operations or initiate projects. BRICS is committed to enhancing the combined potential of its nations and devising collaborative strategies for harnessing these potentials for mutual benefit. Consequently, rather than relying on artificial constructs, BRICS formulates plans and projects based on real-world needs. Experts from various fields including economy, trade, logistics, transport, communications, and modern information and communication technologies convene. Recently, tax service experts assembled to share experiences and present capabilities. This collaboration elucidates how to amalgamate these potentials for the advantage of all nations. This is precisely what renders BRICS appealing to the World Majority nations" stated Russian Foreign Minister.
About the upcoming BRICS meeting in Kazan, Lavrov said that about 30 countries seek to establish ties with the group today. "Some of them have applied to join as full participants, and others to participate in the BRICS Plus/Outreach format. We are ready to invite them, and have invited them before to various events as guests of the chair", he said.
He also confirmed that following the decision of last year’s summit, Russia is working at the level of experts and ministers to prepare a proposal on a new BRICS partner country category. "Partner countries will enjoy broad rights and privileges, almost equal to the permanent members of BRICS, with just a few exceptions. The proposal will be presented to the BRICS leaders at the Kazan meeting", he said.
On Türkiye, a NATO member nation, expressing keenness to join BRICS, Lavrov highlighted that "for decades, Türkiye has not been allowed to join the European Union, with respective talks hindered in every possible way. It is unlikely that the EU will ever change its negative stance, which is another argument in favour of Türkiye’s increasing rapprochement with BRICS".