Laos Interested in BRICS Membership, Plans to Request Information on Criteria, Minister Says

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - During the August summit of the organization, BRICS approved the membership applications of six countries, namely Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, which will join the bloc in January.
Sputnik
Laos is interested in joining BRICS and will request the information on criteria and principles for membership in the bloc, Laotian Investment Minister Khamjane Vongphosy told Sputnik.
The country has interest in the bloc since the developments are "positive" there, the minister said, adding that his ministry would have to coordinate its actions on the matter with the country's foreign ministry and government and then undergo additional procedures to apply for membership in BRICS.
BRICS Becoming Vanguard of 'World Majority', Russian Presidential Aide Says
Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran, whose membership applications to join BRICS were endorsed at the August summit, are to become full members of the bloc in January.
During the Primakov Readings International Forum in late November, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted that with the arrival of new member on January 1, BRICS will increase its advantage over the G7 group.