Russia proposes BRICS countries jointly develop oil, gas processing, green energy

MOSCOW. May 23 (Interfax) - Russia proposes that the BRICS countries, i.e., Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, jointly develop oil and gas refining and green energy, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said during a meeting with colleagues from the BRICS states.

"The whole world has seen for itself in recent months how high the dependence of those that don't have their own raw materials source is. Compared to a number of other countries, you and I are, of course, largely protected from risk, taking into account our reliably established cooperation in this sphere. But we have the abilities to move toward products with higher margins derived from deep processing of oil and gas. There are good opportunities in this respect in the creation of joint production meeting all of our needs without the participation of unreliable external partners," Manturov said.

"There is also another area connected to this that touches on the possibilities of developing green energy in our countries on our own technological base. As other states are being forced to close their eyes on the environment now, we need to in contrast accelerate joint developments in the areas of nuclear, solar, hydro, and wind power, hydrogen technologies, other kinds of renewable energy, as well as elaborate fundamentally new approaches in the production of energy. We're all doing relevant research one way or another, and the cooperation of our scientists could create groundbreaking solutions for all of humanity," he said.