During Russia’s presidency in BRICS in 2024, the role of the group’s countries as a sustainable and demanded format of multilateral interaction based on the sovereign equality of countries and consideration of each other’s interests was confirmed. This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova at a briefing.

She pointed out that 250 meetings were held during the year, at which BRICS participants discussed almost all areas of interstate cooperation.

The diplomat singled out the success of the BRICS summit held in Kazan in October. She stressed that 41 foreign delegations took part in the summit and the Kazan Declaration confirmed the intention to strengthen the strategic partnership between the countries of the group.

Speaking about the new members of the association, who joined at the beginning of 2024, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stressed that Egypt, Iran, UAE, Ethiopia, and Saudi Arabia energetically joined the work and supported all the flagship initiatives.

In addition, Zakharova called it a great success to develop modalities for the category of partner countries, which from 1 January 2025 will be Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. According to her, these states are reputable regional players in favour of strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation. She added that Russia is awaiting responses from four more countries.

Brazil will take over the BRICS chairmanship from next year. The diplomat said that the implementation of many initiatives will continue.

Source: TV BRICS
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry