Vice Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev informed at a meeting of the Standing Committee on Political Affairs and International Cooperation of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Community of independent Nations) that dozens of countries have expressed interest in initiating interactions with the BRICS group.
"During Russia's presidency, two strategic tasks have been achieved: First, we learn how to operate after the group expands from five to 10 member states. Second, we determine how the group will respond to proposals from other countries that want to join BRICS. In fact, there are currently dozens of countries that have this desire," TASS quoted Kosachev as saying.
Vice Chairman of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev emphasized that Russia has successfully resolved both of these tasks in its role as BRICS Chair in 2024.
Mr. Konstantin Kosachev also mentioned that he had received confirmation from Brazilian counterparts about the plan to host the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brazil from June 3 to 5. Brazil is assuming the BRICS presidency in 2025.
"Brazil has said it will invite both the parliamentary sessions of BRICS member states and the parliamentary sessions of partner countries," he added. The Organizing Committee also plans to invite leaders of the World Parliamentary Union and head of the BRICS New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff to attend the forum.
"The initiative during the Russian presidency is to strengthen coordination within the framework of the World Parliamentary Assembly Alliance by establishing a temporary additional geopolitical group BRICS+. This is not a closed association for BRICS countries and partners but a broader platform to gather the maximum number of participants. Our Brazilian colleagues have confirmed their support for this initiative. Previously, colleagues from China, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and South Africa have also expressed their clear support," he informed.
Kosachev predicted that the Brazilian delegation would propose the idea for discussion at the upcoming Parliamentary Forum, "and we hope to reach some decisions to legalize the initiative on the Parliamentary Alliance platform at the fall meeting," scheduled for October this year in Geneva, Switzerland.
The spring session of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly took place in St. Petersburg. Petersburg, Russia on April 17-18.
