BEIJING, June 6 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and China are continuing to work closely to strengthen the BRICS economic bloc, which has made notable progress in many aspects in the last year, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev said in Beijing.
"The development of the group of five is increasing. Our association remains an important driving force of the world economy, surpassing the total growth rates of the G7 BRICS has made significant progress in many aspects of its activities in the last year. We have formed unified positions on key policy issues: Syria, Iran, international terrorism, international information security," Patrushev said on Friday at the end of the 10th round of Russian-Chinese consultations on strategic security.
"I am confident that the forthcoming chairmanship of Russia in the group of five will consolidate this positive trend," Patrushev concluded.
The BRICS countries plan to meet at a summit in Brazil’s Fortaleza in July. Among other issues, the association is planning to discuss Argentina’s candidacy.
Earlier, Indian Ambassador to Argentina Amarenda Khatua who said Buenos Aires was interested in joining BRICS, and three of the group’s five members – India, Brazil and South Africa – supported the idea.
Argentina's foreign minister said Buenos Aires planned to develop its relations with BRICS states, but said it is up to BRICS to decide on the agenda.
