adminTEHRAN (Tasnim) – Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian described Iran as a reliable and effective partner for the BRICS, suggesting ideas to strengthen the economic grouping’s role and correct deficiencies in the global systems.
In an address to the closing ceremony of the BRICS summit, dubbed “Iran and BRICS: Prospects for Partnership and Cooperation”, held in Tehran on Tuesday, Amirabdollahian highlighted the significant role of BRICS in driving global economic growth, saying Iran can be a “reliable and influential” partner of the five-member bloc of emerging economies.
“The creation of BRICS is definitely a step forward in the relations between the emerging economies and the Global South,” Amirabdollahian said, adding that the economic and political alliances in the developing world aim to strengthen their bargaining power during international negotiations, especially at the United Nations.
The top Iranian diplomat stressed that BRICS represents a powerful economic and political synergy with the potential to influence regional and global developments, Press TV reported.
“It is the first time that a strong and effective politico-economic identity has been created in the developing world,” he said. “We believe that if the idea of BRICS expansion becomes a reality, this identity will become more coherent and global.”
He added that the economic growth of BRICS has strengthened the self-confidence of the member states and increased the global confidence in its effectiveness.
The Iranian foreign minister emphasized that interaction with multilateral institutions has always been a key priority for Iran.
Iran’s efforts to expedite its membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, deepen its relations with the Eurasian Economic Union to establish a free trade zone, and its request for BRICS membership all align with its commitment to a strong multilateralism policy, he said.
“Iran is a reliable and influential partner in bilateral and multilateral cooperation thanks to its strategic and unique geographical location, huge energy reserves, especially oil and gas, cheap and short transportation and transit network, young and expert manpower and modern scientific and technological achievements,” the minister noted.
Amirabdollahian hailed the “favorable state” of Iran’s political and economic relations with BRICS members, and underlined the need for all sides to further boost economic ties.
Pointing to Iran’s readiness to join the five-member group in a letter last June, Amirabdollahian said partnership between Iran and BRICS has practically started in some areas, including energy and transportation.
“In the field of energy and ensuring lasting security, Iran is an absolute added value for BRICS and its future members,” he said.
“The presence of Iran and such countries as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE and some other countries (as important holders of energy reserves in the world) along with BRICS and participation in the energy sector will strengthen the position of the economic bloc,” Amirabdollahian noted.
