Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE invited to BRICS

JOHANNESBURG. Aug 24 (Interfax) - BRICS members have decided to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to join the organization, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday.

"We've decided to invite the Argentine Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to become full members of BRICS," Ramaphosa said at the BRICS summit.

Their membership will take effect from January 1, 2024, he said.

BRICS members have agreed on key principles, standards, criteria and procedures of further enlargement of the group, Ramaphosa said. The upcoming admission of six new members is the first stage of the approved BRICS enlargement process, he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said, in turn, it was not easy to make the decision, same as to approve the final declaration of the BRICS summit.

"I have to say that it was not an easy job. President Ramaphosa demonstrated the remarkable art of diplomacy while reconciling positions, including those on BRICS enlargement," Putin said.

In turn, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the decision to admit new members to BRICS. "The enlargement will give us new dynamics. [...] It will strengthen the countries' faith in a new world order," he said.