Argentina and Iran are worthy candidates for membership in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and the preparatory process for expansion of this association has been launched, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Tuesday following a meeting of foreign ministers of the Caspian states.
"Of course, both Argentina and Iran are worthy and respected candidates, as well as a number of other countries that are also mentioned in the discussions," the minister said, responding to a question by TASS.
According to Lavrov, the decision to join BRICS will be determined by consensus. "The most important thing is that the preparatory process has been launched," stressed the Russian foreign minister. - "The main criterion here will be to ensure further effectiveness and increase the practical impact of the work of this structure".
The minister drew attention to the fact that during the BRICS events that took place the other day, Russia stressed its readiness to consider the expansion of this association. "President [of Russia Vladimir] Putin noted in his speeches the justification, the timeliness of this discussion," Lavrov added.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Monday that Tehran has applied to join BRICS. Last week, Argentinean President Alberto Fernandez announced at a meeting in the BRICS plus format that the country aspired to join the association as a full member. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed in her Telegram channel that Argentina and Iran had applied to join the BRICS.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS