In a post-summit interview with a local media outlet, South Africa's Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor revealed the criteria and principles used by the BRICS member states to select the countries that will join the bloc from January 2024.
According to the minister, given the fact that a total of 23 nations had officially applied to join the group, it took some time and debate to reach a consensus and finalize what criteria should be met to be accepted into the bloc and which countries would become members first.
"There were differences. Some of the members were wary of moving too fast, becoming too big, issues of ensuring a balance among the regions, but in the end, I think all of us are happy with the conclusions," she is quoted as saying by local media.
The minister added that during the debate on expansion, the association focused only on those countries that officially expressed their interest in BRICS membership.
South Africa's top diplomat noted that the BRICS members did not discuss the envisaged size of the association. As of now, she explained, the association's leaders decided to take a step-by-step approach and admit six countries as full members and the remaining 17 as BRICS partner states.
However, she added, a "modest expansion" of the group, so that it does not become too large and unwieldy, would be an ideal scenario.
"Let’s see where we go, see what develops and see how we relate to the G-77 and the Non-Aligned Movement, of which we are members. I think it’s good to have a modest expansion rather than it becoming too big," she said.
The minister also reiterated that after the admission of new members, the economic bloc is unlikely to change its name and will continue to be called BRICS, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
The 15th BRICS Summit was held in Johannesburg on August 22-24 under the chairmanship of South Africa. During the summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the official invitation of Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to join BRICS. He said that the full membership of the new countries joining the group will begin on January 1, 2024.