Recently reunited virtually in Beijing, the Brics intend to continue their expansion
The 13th virtual summit between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa on September 9, 2021. AP - Yue Yuewei
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3 mins
After the lifting of the Turkish veto, Sweden and Finland announce that they will join NATO.
Iran and Argentina are asking for their part to join the BRICS, the group of emerging countries gathered virtually in Beijing last week.
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With our correspondent in Beijing
,
Stéphane Lagarde
For the image, we will remember the blue cups and red tea of Diaoyutai, the residence of distinguished guests in Beijing, which the leaders of the Brics brandished on the screens of the 14th summit between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Sent by diplomatic pouch to the five capitals of the group of emerging countries, these porcelains are not the only common denominator to the exchanges carried out virtually in Beijing on June 23 and 24.
The other major subject was the expansion of the group: “
There are quite a few countries knocking on the door,
explains Li Kexin, director general of the department of international economic affairs within the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
.
Countries like Indonesia, Argentina, Egypt or Saudi Arabia have expressed their wish to join the BRICS.
And they are very active.
We don't have a fixed timetable.
This is based on member consensus.
We must remain as open and inclusive as possible.
»
Brics which, with 42% of the population and a quarter of the world's GDP, allow Russia to say that it is not totally isolated.
China had contributed to adding the "S" to the BRIC group, for "South Africa", inviting Pretoria to join them on the eve of Christmas 2010. Twelve years later, Chinese diplomacy is once again considering expanding the alliance, but in a spirit opposed to a “
cold war mentality
”, which Beijing rejects on the United States and its allies.
Other countries invited to the next emerging forum
The Brics are not a block and it must remain a partnership, recalls for his part Siyabonga Cwele, the South African ambassador to China: “
Our common interest is development issues.
How are resources mobilized for education, investment, job creation?
How to reduce inequalities?
We are different and we intend to remain so, but we share the same interests.
And all those who want to contribute to the development of Africa are welcome.
»
A nod to the other alliances, knowing that the Indian, Argentinian, Senegalese, Indonesian and South African heads of state were also at the G7 summit in Bavaria in recent days.
In the meantime, the BRICS must remain a non-exclusive group, confides a diplomat from a member country.
South Africa, which will organize the next emerging forum next year, intends to invite other African countries as part of the Brics + dialogue.
And Iran, which holds the second largest gas reserves in the world, asked Tuesday to join this Brics group that Beijing and Moscow present as an alternative to the G7.
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To read
: In Beijing, the 14th Brics summit opens against a backdrop of global crises
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