“KP” has collected the most interesting statements of our minister
Photo: REUTERS
After the end of the XV BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, in which it was decided to extend this association to 11 countries (in addition to Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, it included Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates Arabs, Ethiopia and Egypt), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov responded to questions from Russian journalists.
“KP” has collected the most interesting statements of our minister.
On the results of the BRICS summit
– This summit raised to a qualitatively new level the discussions about justice, the discussions about the fact that it is impossible to live forever at the expense of the resources of developing countries. Africans remember the colonial era very well. They remember very well what they fought for… It is not for nothing that we say that the era of the transition to multipolarity has begun. You can’t stop it.
How were the negotiations on the expansion of the BRICS?
– The discussion was quite intense. I can’t say that there is no problem, but in general, with the approach of each state in making a decision on the admission of new members. Of course, the criteria and procedures approved for partner countries were taken into account. But first of all, the weight, authority and importance of this or that country applying for membership was taken into account… I all advocate that we replenish our ranks with like-minded people.
On Russia’s readiness to host the next BRICS summit in Kazan
– If you follow our life during the last twenty years, you will know that we are ready for anything. The President announced the priorities that we will promote… You always need luck, but I guarantee you that luck is assured.
On the name change of the BRICS after the expansion
– All to keep the name. It has already become a brand. And none of the newcomers to the BRICS ranks offered otherwise. It seems to me that everyone understands that it is better to leave everything as it is. This will emphasize the continuity of our work.
On the attitude towards Macron’s intentions
Lavrov also answered the question from Komsomolskaya Pravda.
– The day before, the president of France said that he was ready to talk to the president of Russia when “it would be useful.” Sergey Viktorovich failed to attend the BRICS summit in South Africa and was now going to Moscow. And, in his opinion, when can such a conversation be useful for Russia?
– To be honest, I do not follow the statements about who and what is going to do in relation to Russia, speaking about it publicly. If you are interested in something, then, probably, elementary decency and the rules of diplomacy require that you convey this interest through diplomatic channels. Whether it’s a meeting, a conversation or anything else.
A year ago, for example, Macron or Scholz himself said that we are continuing the dialogue and we will continue to give our opinion. I stopped reading it. I stopped paying attention to it. If you talk about it publicly, it means that you are interested in the audience that is listening to you: your voters, your EU partners. It is not clear what signals such statements send.
