Brics Still Attracting Members Despite Western Pressure – Lavrov

NEW DELHI, May 15 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- Countries are not losing interest in joining BRICS, despite Western pressure, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

"I do not see a decline in interest in BRICS as a result of pressure from Western countries, which, especially the United States (US), have publicly declared BRICS to be almost the main opponent of progress," Lavrov said following his visit to India and participation in the BRICS ministerial meeting.

Several countries have applied to join BRICS, Lavrov added.

"I do not see a decrease in the interest in joining the ranks of our association, both in terms of membership and in terms of joining the group of partner countries," Lavrov added.

BRICS countries stand against any attempts to politicise the G20 agenda, the Russian foreign minister added.

"Let me remind you that BRICS and its partner countries currently account for over 40 per cent of global GDP, while the G7 barely exceeds 30 per cent of global GDP. Therefore, a reform is overdue, a reform that our Western colleagues are trying to hold back in every possible way. Forecasts show that the average growth rate of BRICS countries will be around 3.7 per cent, closer to four per cent, compared to 2.6 per cent for the global growth rate in the coming period," Lavrov said.

The top Russian diplomat also said that he had briefed his BRICS counterparts on the situation in Ukraine, emphasising that BRICS had "made a fundamental assessment of what is happening."

The final statement on the outcomes of the BRICS meeting will come from India as the current chair of the group, Lavrov added.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI