Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand become BRICS partner countries

eputy Foreign Minister of Russia Aleksander Pankin said at the joint meeting of foreign and trade ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) that Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have become BRICS partner countries. His words are quoted on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

In his speech, he emphasised that the BRICS summit in Kazan demonstrated the aspiration of the group's states to establish a just world order, reform global institutions and build equitable economic ties.

"An impressive set of agreements on trade, investment, artificial intelligence, energy and climate as well as logistics was concluded. Our APEC colleagues – Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand – have become BRICS partner countries," the diplomat said.

The list of BRICS partner states was agreed upon at the BRICS summit held in Kazan on 22-24 October. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the final list will be made public after receiving a positive response from the countries to the invitation to participate in the group in this format.

Earlier it became known that Belarus became a partner of BRICS. This was announced by President of the Republic Aleksandr Lukashenko in a letter to the Russian leader. In addition, an invitation to obtain partner status was sent to Uganda.

Peru is hosting the APEC High-Level Week from 9 to 16 November. At the meeting of foreign and trade ministers, the forum member countries discussed trade and investment cooperation and sustainable economic growth. The main events of the APEC summit will be two plenary sessions on 15 and 16 November with the participation of heads of state and government.