South African Foreign Minister: BRICS countries have agreed on the principles of expansion

The BRICS countries adopted a document that outlines the key principles for other countries to join the association. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, Naledi Pandor, on the air of the ministerial radio.

“We agreed on the issue of expansion. We have a document that we have adopted that sets out the guidelines, processes for considering countries wishing to become members of the BRICS,” she said (quote by Sputnik Africa).

She also noted that additional details on the expansion will be presented before the end of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg.

BRICS consists of five countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Earlier, the South African Foreign Ministry reported that 23 countries had submitted official applications for joining the BRICS.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on the eve of the summit that his country supports the expansion of the alliance. Similar position adheres to and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. In support of BRICS expansion and accession of new partners spoke and Beijing. India also supported the expansion of the alliance on a “consensus basis”.

In the Kremlin before declaredthat Russia adheres to the position that, in one form or another, the expansion of the BRICS will contribute to the development and strengthening of the organization. According to the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, during the BRICS summit, it will be discussed in what form and to what extent this can happen.

The BRICS summit is being held from 22 to 24 August in Johannesburg in person for the first time in three years. Russia is represented in person at the event by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Russian President Vladimir Putin participates via video link. During his speech on August 23, he noted that Russia is ready to help expand the circle of BRICS participants.