Tehran a ‘Reliable Partner’ for BRICS

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Iran’s objectives are in alignment with those of the BRICS, and the Islamic Republic can be a “reliable partner” for the group of emerging economies.
The minister made the remarks in an address to a meeting of the Friends of BRICS Foreign Ministers in Cape Town, South Africa, on Friday, IRNA reported.
He said Iran can be influential given its “rich experience of active participation in international organizations, abundant energy resources, short and cost-effective transport and transit networks, educated and skillful human workforce, remarkable scientific and technological achievements, and above all, strong dedication and determination for contribution into a fair world order.”
The Iranian minister said Tehran would soon organize a conference through coordination with the embassies of BRICS countries “to elaborate on existing potentials for cooperation between Iran and the group.”
Amir-Abdollahian said Iran’s political and economic relations with the BRICS countries remain satisfactory as the trade value exceeds 30 billion dollars.
The top Iranian diplomat said Tehran was determined to expand relations with the three BRICs countries of Russia, China and India within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Describing Iran, India and South Africa as the active members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Amir-Abdollahian said the three countries are cooperating in various economic sectors. Iran, China, India, Brazil and South Africa are among like-minded and active members of the group of developing countries (G-77), he said.

Next Target 

Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is among the pioneers of multilateralism. He said Tehran and some of the BRICS countries are members of major arrangements for multilateral cooperation.
“For the Islamic Republic of Iran, BRICS can be the next significant target of our multilateralism policy. This is why we are among the first states that have officially declared interest to join BRICS and its frameworks of cooperation.”
BRICS has secured an important position in the global relations thanks to the “combined capabilities and its serious efforts to strengthen multilateralism,” the Iranian minister said.
Amir-Abdollahian underscored the importance of the joining of other regional like-minded powers to the BRICS, saying, “An extended BRICS can come up with ‘Collective and Inclusive Governance,’ ‘New South-South Cooperation’ and ‘Coalition of Emerging Economies.’”
The BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which hold about half of the world’s population, accounting for 30% of the total land area of the world. The significance of this group and its leading role in the world economy has caused several countries including Iran to show a tendency to join.
Iran is among more than a dozen countries that seek membership in the bloc and has submitted a formal application to join the body.
In a press briefing later in the day, Iran’s foreign minister said the members of the BRICS group of emerging economies have welcomed the Islamic Republic’s potential accession to the powerful bloc.
“Given Iran’s geopolitical position and capacities, the BRICS members welcomed Iran’s accession to the group,” Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told reporters.
The top diplomat was describing the achievements of his earlier participation in the Friends of BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting.
Amir-Abdollahian said the meeting had featured, what he described as, “initiation of the preliminary steps for examination of Iran’s request to join the group,” adding that the Islamic Republic had managed to “express its positions” during the event.
He said he used the meeting to discuss the manner of Iran’s potential membership in the BRICS, noting that a mechanism was being created to enable the prospect.
Last year, President Ebrahim Raisi addressed the BRICS Business Forum’s virtual summit at China’s invitation, describing the Islamic Republic as a “sustainable partner” connecting the BRICS to energy chokepoints and major markets around the globe.