Saudi Arabia appreciates invitation by BRICS: Saudi FM

Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Arabia appreciates an invitation by BRICS to join the group and would study the details before the proposed Jan. 1 joining date, the Kingdom’s foreign minister said on Thursday.

Speaking to Al-Arabiya, Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the Kingdom would take “the appropriate decision” regarding the matter.

The foreign minister added that BRICS was “a beneficial and important channel” to strengthen economic cooperation.

Earlier on Thursday, Prince Faisal said the Kingdom is looking forward to developing more cooperation with BRICS nations.

“We look forward to developing this cooperation to create new developmental and economic opportunities and elevate our relationship to the aspired level,” Prince Faisal told the BRICS summit in Johannesburg.

Saudi Arabia stresses the importance of activating collective and multilateral action, he said, and his country is keen to exercise its responsibilities to sustain international cooperation within BRICS.

Prince Faisal also said the Kingdom will also continue to be a reliable source of energy and had the tools to maintain stable energy markets.

The BRICS group of nations decided at a summit this week in Johannesburg to invite six countries – Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – to become new members of the bloc, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday.

BRICS membership of new countries will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, said Ramaphosa.

Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) have agreed to expand their group, which would be the first expansion since 2010.