Venezuela Wants to Be Part of BRICS, President Maduro Says

BRICS, formed by five powerful countries, is transforming into a big magnet for those who want another world, based on peace and cooperation, the Venezuelan president stated.
Sputnik
Venezuela would like to become part of the BRICS as this association forms a new world order, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday.
"If they ask Venezuela whether we want to join the BRICS at some point — Venezuela says yes, we would like to be part of the BRICS and take part in the construction of this new architecture and global policy," Maduro said at a press conference, following his meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said, in his turn, that he is in favor of the possibility of Venezuela joining BRICS.
"If you ask what I think, then I will tell you that I am in favor of this," Lula said at a press conference, following his meeting with Maduro, answering a relevant question.
At the same time, such initiatives should be coordinated by all countries, Lula added.
BRICS is an association that unites the world's largest developing economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Recently, the association saw heightened interest from a growing number of countries in joining the club.
Opinion
South African Sherpa Reveals Why Global South is Knocking on BRICS' Door
Last week, Ambassador Anil Sooklal, sherpa of the Republic of South Africa in BRICS told Sputnik Africa that there is a "very high" interest from countries of the Global South to join the bloc of the world's five leading emerging economies.

"A large number of countries have written formally, and an equally large number of countries have made queries through our embassies, through our capitals, wanting more information of how they can become members of BRICS. And in this past week we have received two written applications from countries wanting to become members of BRICS," Sooklal argued.