Claims that BRICS will 'admit a dozen new members': 'Russia is compiling a list of future members'

12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS

The annual BRICS summit will be held in Kazan, Russia, between October 22-24. Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Rizhenkov stated that the countries to become members of the bloc will be announced following this meeting.

Speaking during the UN General Assembly meetings held in New York, Rizhenkov indicated that it is planned to add at least 10 new members to BRICS. The Belarusian Foreign Minister also added that he is 'optimistic' that Belarus's membership application will be approved.

In a statement to RIA Novosti, Ryzhenkov said, 'As we all expect, the admission of those who have applied for membership into the bloc will take place at the Kazan summit.'

The Foreign Minister also used the phrase, 'Russia is creating a list of countries that will be part of the first wave of expansion.'

Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Lukashevich said earlier this month that his country is in the first pool of BRICS candidates along with Algeria, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Bolivia, Venezuela, Vietnam, Cuba, Honduras, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Palestine, Senegal, and Thailand.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

TURKEY ALSO WANTS TO BE A MEMBER OF BRICS

Several other countries, such as Turkey, Zimbabwe, and Burkina Faso, have also expressed their intention to join the bloc. Turkey's BRICS membership process, like that of other applicant countries, will become clear as a result of the meeting to be held in October.

However, according to the latest statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Turkey's BRICS membership process appears 'serious.'

Founded in 2006 by Russia, China, India, and Brazil, the organization accepted South Africa as a member in 2011. Earlier this year, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE were also admitted to the bloc.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a high-level BRICS meeting held in early September that at least 34 countries have expressed their intention to join the bloc so far.

According to Putin's statements, BRICS is also working on developing a special trade mechanism among member countries.

Regarding this initiative, the Russian President said, 'Conditions will be created for the effective and independent conduct of all foreign trade of member countries.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping

IMF SUPPORTS BRICS EXPANSION

International Monetary Fund (IMF) spokesperson Julie Kozack stated in September that the expansion of BRICS 'should be encouraged,' adding that the growth of the group could be beneficial on a global scale.

BRICS countries currently account for approximately 46% of the world's population. According to estimates by global financial institutions, the economies of member countries make up more than 36% of global GDP and more than one-third of world GDP based on purchasing power parity.

News Source: 12punto