Talks with Latin American countries to join BRICS ongoing

Russian diplomat, Alexander Shchetinin has reiterated that his country’s cooperation with Latin American nations that show interest in joining BRICS will continue.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Saturday, as director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Latin American department.

“In what format, we will coordinate first of all with our partners in this group, and with those countries that want to be closer to BRICS, including with regard to Latin America,” he said.

Late last month during an online meeting of the foreign ministers of the BRICS, China proposed to study the standards and procedures for BRICS expansion, in order to “gradually form a consensus.”

All ministers agreed to support discussions among BRICS members on the expansion process, and to further clarify the guiding principles, the standards, criteria and procedures for this expansion process.

Other countries that have shown similar interests to join the block are Iran and Saudi Arabia.