FM: Belarus expects to get BRICS cooperation partner status soon

Belarus expects to be among the top ten countries to get the status of a BRICS cooperation partner, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maksim Ryzhenkov told journalists, BelTA has learned.

According to the foreign minister, Belarus views BRICS, first of all, as an efficient platform that brings together global power players, a place where Belarus can promote its foreign policy interests, build economic ties and grow trade. Currently, Belarus participates in absolutely all events under the BRICS umbrella, which has given a serious impetus to bilateral relations with the countries of this organization.

“We do not want occasional participation, we want to obtain a certain status in this organization. The status of a cooperation partner. This is where we stand so far. We have not yet formalized this legal term and have not charted the path to obtaining this status as we are getting ready for the summit [the next BRICS summit will be held in Russia's Kazan],” the foreign minister said.

Nevertheless, Belarus was among the first to submit an application. “And we have already received confirmation from all member states that we will be among the first ten countries to get this status. So far, we are held back only by the fact that this status per se is not formalized yet as a legal term. Let's hope that it will be done by the October summit,” said Maksim Ryzhenkov.

A reminder, Belarus was invited to attend the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan. This serious organization has the world’s power players in its ranks; BRICS member states account for more than 40% of the world’s population, the president noted. “We are interested in joining integration processes in this area. BRICS is one of props that can help us maintain balance and economic stability,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko at a meeting to discuss international issues on 29 July.

The president instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to draft a plan for Belarus’ participation in this platform and its bilateral meetings.

Written by belta.by