News - Putin: 34 countries have already expressed their wish to join BRICS in one way or another

Dozens of countries want to participate in the work of BRICS, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the meeting of the BRICS countries’ high representatives on security issues, RIA Novosti reports. "Today, more than three dozen countries—more precisely, 34 states—have already expressed their wish to join, in one way or another, the activities of our association," the Russian president said. According to him, Russia, as the current chairing country of BRICS, has shown a responsible approach to the organizing of joint work. Thus, it has contributed to the fastest and most organic integration of the new participating countries into all BRICS mechanisms. "The Russian chairmanship [at BRICS] has launched new domains of cooperation. These include meetings of transport ministers, heads of geological surveys, and the BRICS Forum on Nuclear Medicine. The BRICS civic and academic forums, friendly sports games, as well as thematic festivals and exhibitions in various cities of Russia had a great impact on the cultural and humanitarian track," added Putin.