BRICS enters second stage of expansion - Ryabkov

BRICS has entered the second stage of expansion and has every opportunity for this, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister and BRICS Sherpa Sergey Ryabkov said.

"We have now entered, I believe, the second stage of expansion. I will not speculate here about when, who, and in what capacity will have further rapprochement with BRICS. Opportunities exist for this, including through the creation of a category of partner states," Sergey Ryabkov said.

According to him, BRICS already has quite a few of these - countries that have recently achieved this status.

The senior Russian diplomat noted that it was among the priorities of Russia’s presidency in the association last year to ensure a smooth integration of the newcomers, or countries that joined the organization after January 1, 2024, into the BRICS architecture.

"All BRICS members acknowledge that we have accomplished this task quite effectively," Sergey Ryabkov said.

He stressed the importance of Indonesia’s joining BRICS as a full-fledged member this year. "It has promptly embarked on cooperation in all areas and is making a valuable and effective contribution," he said.

The integration of the newcomers has already been successfully completed, given the results they are demonstrating, the official said in an interview published on the PIR Center website.