PM Nikol Pashinyan to Attend BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia

YEREVAN — Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed through a spokeswoman on Friday that he will attend a summit of the BRICS group of major emerging economies in the Russian city of Kazan next month.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan was the first to announce on Wednesday Armenia’s participation in the summit slated for October 22-24. Pashinyan’s press secretary, Nazeli Baghdasaryan, told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service that the country will be represented there by its premier.

BRICS, originally formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, aims to bring together the world’s most important emerging economies, as well as act as a political and economic counterbalance to wealthier nations in the West.

The group of countries expanded earlier this year to include 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. Malaysia, Thailand and Azerbaijan are among other countries looking to join.

Bloomberg reported earlier that Turkey has formally asked to join BRICS.