Armenia to Participate in BRICS Summit in Russia

YEREVAN — Armenia will participate in the BRICS summit to be held in Kazan in October, Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan said at a briefing with journalists in the National Assembly.

Head of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Sargis Khandanyan said, in turn, that Armenia’s participation will not stir tensions in the relations with the West.

“I don’t think BRICS is the format that could cause any tension anywhere, especially considering that Armenia enjoys friendly and partnership relations with many of the member states. This is a platform for discussion of differed issues,” Khandanyan said.

“The European Union and Western partners respect Armenia’s approaches and a number of EU countries also have very good and warm relations with BRICS member states. I don’t think there could be a problem here,” the MP added

The BRICS group, an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, represents almost half the world’s population, It was set up by the five nations in 2009 and has since expanded to include other major emerging economies such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia was invited to join, though the Kingdom is yet to do that.

The group’s further enlargement could be discussed during the summit in Kazan, Russia, from October 22-24, said the people. Malaysia, Thailand and Azerbaijan are among other countries looking to join.