Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "BRIC Is an Interest Club"

16.06.2009 — News

THE SVERDLOVSK OBLAST.

"BRIC is neither an institution nor a bureaucratic structure, but rather an influential interest club with Brazil, Russia, India, and China as its members", said Sergey Ryabkov, Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Ekaterinburg on 16 June.

The day before the opening of the BRIC summit he defined the main issues on the agenda. Leaders of the four countries will discuss the outlook for the global financial system reforming, food security, energy efficiency, combating terrorism, and the need for reforming the UN Security Council.

"We don't seek to compete with anyone; rather, to reach consensus in overcoming challenges", Mr Ryabkov noted. As he said, the first full-scale formal meeting of the BRIC leaders will be definitely followed by other similar meetings, though it's too early to speak about dates and venues for such meetings at the moment.

"This is the initial stage of the BRIC evolution. The four countries have too much common interest; it would be a pity not to examine it nor work out a consolidated approach", Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined.