Nizhny Novgorod — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Monday on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting to discuss the future of the bloc and its expanding membership.
The ministers expressed optimism about the association’s growth, highlighting the increased number of countries seeking cooperation with BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), TV BRICS reported.
“The circle of our like-minded countries is steadily growing,” said Lavrov, emphasising the importance of multilateral coordination to protect both national and developing world interests.
Wang Yi echoed this sentiment, stating, “It is indeed important for us to strengthen coordination in multilateral structures in order to protect our legitimate interests. At the same time, this aims to protect the common interests of developing countries.”
The meeting comes as BRICS welcomes new members, expanding its influence on the global stage. The foreign ministers exchanged views on how this expansion can further strengthen the association.
The BRICS Ministerial Council, taking place in Nizhny Novgorod on June 10-11, will see participants discussing a range of global issues and cooperation opportunities within the bloc. The Russian Foreign Ministry has indicated that the meeting will focus on key topics on the international agenda and practical collaboration between BRICS nations.
