Mauro Vieira defends criteria for BRICS expansion amid questions about Venezuela and Nicaragua

247 - BRICS needs consensus on the parameters for admitting new countries and a balance in the representation of different world regions in the association, said Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in an interview with Sputnik on Tuesday (22). Vieira leads Brazil at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.

"Our position... is that BRICS expansion must be based on criteria. That is, new members must be willing to adhere to the criteria and take on commitments that are already part of the group's identity. It’s a matter of coherence and facilitating an expansion that politically strengthens BRICS as an influential voice in the world," said Vieira, adding that Brazil agrees with "the need to find a balance in regional representation."

The statements come amid questions about the possible entry of Venezuela and Nicaragua into the bloc. Both countries are officially represented at the BRICS Summit, held from October 22 to 24.

BRICS is an intergovernmental association created in 2006. Russia assumed the rotating presidency of the bloc on January 1, 2024. The year began with the accession of new members to the association. In addition to Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the bloc now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has not yet formalized its participation but has been attending BRICS meetings.