Flags of BRICS and its founding member states. File photo.
More than 30 countries have expressed their interest in joining the BRICS bloc. Possibilities for greater expansion will be discussed during the upcoming summit of BRICS+ countries on October 22-24, in Kazan, Russia. The group initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa now has ten members.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said in an interview that his country “supports creating a category of associated countries and establishing the rules for new partners to join the group.” He said this in response to a question on Cuba’s request to join the BRICS+, which is one of the requests that the bloc has recently received.
This year, the BRICS welcomed five new member countries: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Apart from Venezuela, Cuba, Türkiye, and several south-east Asian countries have also requested to join the group.
In August 2023, the BRICS agreed to Argentina’s accession along with the five new members, but far-right President Javier Milei rejected his country’s incorporation after taking office in December 2023.
However, in light of the BRICS’ growing economic power and the possibility that the group develop its own financial system as an alternative to the US-controlled SWIFT, Argentinian Foreign Minister Diana Mondino said on Tuesday, October 8, that her country is considering a greater degree of association with the bloc.
(RedRadioVE) by Victoria Torres
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/SC/DZ
