Both China and Russia welcomed Venezuela’s expression of interest in joining the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).
On the one hand, the Chinese government applauded Venezuela’s willingness to join the Brics.
“We welcome the prompt adhesion of the largest possible number of party members to the great Brics family,” he assured Sputnik Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.
On the other hand, the person in charge of the Russian Foreign Ministry for Latin America, Alexandr Schetinin, appreciated the purpose of Venezuela and stressed that it shows the increasing authority of the group in the world.
“Maduro’s statement reflects the growing authority that the Brics are acquiring in the current international situation due to their point of view of what is happening, their assessment, their model of cooperation of equals without sanctions or pressure of any kind”, Schetinin told Sputnik when commenting on Venezuela’s intention to join to the brics
Schetinin indicated that the group is currently discussing the criteria for enlargement.
“When the corresponding agreements are adopted, specific candidacies will be analyzed. As we understand, the president of Venezuela stressed that his country was also on the list of candidates. We value this highly,” he remarked.
The Brics currently represent more than 20% of the global gross domestic product (GDP) and 42% of the world population.
Brazil is also in favor
As will be remembered this Monday, the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, declared after a bilateral meeting with his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, that his country aspired to be part of the Brics in a “modest” way, to continue the construction of the new architecture and of the new world geopolitics.
Given this, the president of Brazil, Luis Inácio Lula Da Silva, indicated that he is in favor of the entry of Venezuela into the group. “If you ask me what I think, I would say that I am favorable,” she said in response to the proposal for Venezuela to join the Brics.
