Call for expanding Belarus' cooperation with BRICS members, African countries

It is important for Belarus to expand cooperation both with BRICS member states and with countries of the African continent. Vladimir Kotovich, member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, made the statement as he commented on the BRICS summit going on in South Africa, BelTA has learned.

The press service of the upper chamber of the Belarusian parliament quoted Vladimir Kotovich as saying: “For Belarus it is important and of current interest to expand interaction both with BRICS members and with countries of the African continent. Our country has made a constructive step in advancing the partnership with Asia and Africa. With this step Belarus proves that the West doesn't command the world. Ambassador of Belarus to Brazil Sergei Lukashevich has recently met with Brazilian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Luisa Escorel de Moraes. Within the framework of this meeting the Brazilian side was handed a note that confirms Belarus' intention to become a full BRICS member and to continue building up interaction between Minsk and Brasilia.”

According to Vladimir Kotovich, Belarus' cooperation with BRICS countries has become strategic. Back in 2015 when Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko took part in a summit in the Russian city of Ufa, prospects of advancing Belarus' interaction with BRICS were sketched out. “At present our cooperation with countries of this international organization has become strategic. Participation in the BRICS summit is a good opportunity for Belarus to show itself in the international arena as a constructive, modern, and promising country,” the senator stressed.