"BRICS commands much more respect than Western blocs." In these words, experts explain the sharp increase in the number of countries that want to join the international structure, of which Russia is one of the founders. What are the principles for selecting new BRICS members and what will they give our country?
59 countries declare their intention to join the BRICS, SCO and EAEU associations. This was announced by the adviser to the President of the Russian Federation, Executive Secretary of the organizing Committee of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), TASS reports Anton Kobyakov.
According to him, these organizations attract countries that seek cooperation in new formats within the framework of a multipolar development concept. "Russia and its partners have created BRICS, SCO, and the EAEU. Now the majority of the inhabitants of the Earth are with us, almost 45% of the world economy is already with us," Kobyakov said at the final press conference on the results of the SPIEF.
So many countries are showing interest in BRICS that the association cannot accommodate them all now. As the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said on the sidelines of the SPIEF, BRICS is a special kind of integration process. "The number of states that are interested in BRICS is much more than this structure can absorb now. Not to absorb, but to allow these countries to join directly," Peskov said.
According to him, the "BRICS partner state" format is being created, which will be tested with interested countries during the Russian presidency of the association. "Therefore, we welcome them all, but the number of applicants is more than it is possible, let's say, to connect at the current stage. Therefore, the new cooperation regime is the only alternative," Peskov said.
This year, Russia is chairing the BRICS and will host the organization's 16th summit in Kazan in October. In addition to their founders (Russia, Brazil, India, China and South Africa), the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Egypt and Iran have also joined the commonwealth since this year.
Several dozen more countries declare their desire to become members of the commonwealth. The last to say this was the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, who discussed this issue with Vladimir Putin during a meeting at the SPIEF. According to him, none of the BRICS members objects to Zimbabwe's membership, and he "feels comfortable in all these countries."
The approval of the application for membership is accepted by consensus of all members of the commonwealth. Algeria, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Honduras, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Palestine, Senegal, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam are also among those wishing to join.
Earlier this week, Turkey, which is a member of NATO, announced its interest in BRICS. Ankara explained that they consider this intergovernmental organization as a "good alternative" to the European Union, which Turkey has been unsuccessfully trying to join for several decades.
The development of cooperation between the BRICS countries was touched upon by Vladimir Putin during the SPIEF plenary session. The President said that Russia, together with foreign partners, will increase the use of national currencies in foreign trade settlements and improve the safety and efficiency of such operations. "Including through the BRICS, the formation of an independent payment system that is not subject to political pressure, abuse and external sanctions interference is being worked out," Putin said.
According to Bolivian President Luis Arce, who also participated in the forum, the economies of the BRICS countries violated the hegemony of the United States. According to the forecasts of the New Development Bank, by 2028, the BRICS countries will account for 35 to 40% of global GDP, while the share of the G7 will decrease to 27.8%. "Today, the world order is moving to a more equitable and balanced state based on multipolarity, multilateralism," the President of Bolivia said.
"Those who wish to join the BRICS are against interference in the internal affairs of states. If the West considers preventive measures against governments for violating the principles of democracy justified, then the political activist of the Global South advocates that interference in internal affairs is not allowed. The countries united under this ideological foundation make up the backbone of those wishing to join the BRICS today. Russia, China and Brazil represent this idea in the international arena," explained Magomed Kodzoev, Senior researcher at the Institute of Latin America of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Associate Professor at RUDN, expert at the Russian Council on International Affairs (RIAC).
BRICS is interesting for countries showing stable economic growth. This is also affected by the actions of the United States, which, contrary to its own rules, are destroying the system of international relations that had developed by the end of the 90s. As a result, military interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya followed, which "caused concern and alarm in many countries of the world that sooner or later NATO troops might descend on them."
According to the expert, a wave of those wishing to join the BRICS has begun in recent years, "but the criteria for entry are somewhat blurred." But candidates, at a minimum, must be economically stable. "Therefore, the appearance of the BRICS partner state format is natural. No one wants to take on board countries that may become unaffordable for the commonwealth. Everything should happen gradually... But institutions for the selection of candidates for membership are needed right now. It would be unprofitable to hold the failed state responsible for the BRICS. And for countries that are necessary from the point of view of economic pragmatics, the doors will always be open," emphasizes the candidate of political Sciences.
"BRICS is currently the only alternative to NATO and the European Union, which have shown their aggressive and malicious nature.
These are closed clubs, where you can get only by renouncing your sovereignty. You need to be ready to run like a dog on tiptoe in front of the owners," says Pavel Danilin, director of the Center for Political Analysis and Social Research, associate professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.
The unification into BRICS, Danilin notes, takes place on a voluntary basis and aims at economic integration, which is beneficial to all members of the commonwealth. "BRICS is much more respected than Western blocs," the source emphasizes.
The political scientist noted the prospects of the "BRICS partner state" format, this will make joining the association phased. "First you need to become a partner, then a candidate, and then apply for membership," the speaker added.
However, the BRICS cannot constantly expand, which at a certain point threatens to create difficulties. "It is critically important for Russia that the voice of every BRICS member be heard. Obviously, this will not be possible with 20-25 members. It is also important for Russia that the BRICS does not turn into an ordinary talking shop, which is also a limitation for acceptance. BRICS members should correspond to each other to some extent in terms of territory, population, and income," Danilin is sure.
According to the political scientist, "the creation of an independent payment system through the BRICS would significantly reduce the influence of the dollar and would allow settlements in national currencies, and this is a lot of money."
Kodzoev, in turn, noted the existence of trends towards the creation of an independent payment system through the BRICS, as a result of which a new economic space may arise. "Technologically it is possible, but it is not a matter of today or tomorrow, it is a prospect for years to come. You can't give up the dollar overnight. For example, it takes years for the yuan to become a reserve international currency," the expert is sure.
Andrey Rezchikov
