Deputy Foreign Minister and Russia's BRICS Sherpa Sergei Ryabkov has suggested that discussions on further BRICS expansion should be postponed until the BRICS summit in Kazan. This statement was made in an interview with the first issue of the TASS project "BRICS Bulletin" within the framework of Russia's presidency in the association.
"We need to provide countries interested in joining BRICS with a platform where they can work practically without feeling left out and joining this cooperation rhythm. The decision on further expansion should be postponed until the leaders gather in Kazan," he said, answering a question if the BRICS expansion would continue during the Russian chairmanship.
Regarding the priority tasks facing the group, Ryabkov highlighted that BRICS should first integrate those who have just joined, aiming to ensure that the group works more effectively than it did with the original five members. He also mentioned the development of a category of partner states as a second task set by the leaders at the summer 2023 summit in Johannesburg.
"The concept of candidate seniority is not inherently tied to the BRICS. Over the past year, at the level of senior officials, we have developed criteria for admission to the association and its expansion, which include a variety of reasonable and constructive elements. These criteria have been effectively implemented by the members who have since joined. However, it might be premature to formalize these requirements. Ultimately, the decision to admit a candidate to the association is a matter of political judgment," the senior diplomat explained in response to inquiries about the prerequisites for a candidate to become a member of the group.
Discussing benchmarks for those wishing to join the association, Ryabkov focused on developing a category of partner states. "Even assembling a list of such states is challenging. It is particularly challenging to explain to those excluded from this hypothetical list the reasons behind their exclusion," the Russian sherpa within the group noted.
"Those currently applying for rapprochement with BRICS, with the potential to join, represent the so-called world majority, though diversity is noted among them. Therefore, I refrain from speculating on the leaders' decisions or timelines. However, the trend towards representation from various regions, cultural and civilizational communities, and even different religious affiliations within certain societies is clear and will likely persist," he concluded.
The BRICS group has undergone two waves of expansion since its founding in 2006, with South Africa joining in 2011 and six new members - Argentina, Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia - being invited in August 2023.
The BRICS presidency passed to Russia on January 1, 2024, and will last until the end of the year, including more than 200 events with a wide range of topics. The main event of the Chairmanship will be the BRICS Heads of State Summit in October 2024 in Kazan.
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Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS