BRAZIL’S LULA SUPPORTS ACCESSION OF SAUDI ARABIA, UAE TO BRICS

Thu 03 August 2023:

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has expressed his support for more countries joining the BRICS group.

Lula said in the capital, Brasilia, yesterday that he supports countries such as Argentina, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joining the group.

BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is due to hold a summit in Johannesburg from 22-24 August.

He also described the seven leading industrialised countries as a “club” that should not exist, considering that its form in terms of geopolitical affairs is outdated. The UK, US, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and Germany make up the group of Western industrialised countries, known as the G7.

Some 22 countries have “formally” asked to join the BRICS group, while an equal number has informally expressed interest in joining the bloc, South Africa announced last month.

It has previously been reported that BRICS is discussing including Saudi Arabia and Iran into the bloc. Along with Riyadh and Tehran, Algeria also applied join BRICS last year, with Turkiye and Egypt expected to become additional members soon.

Calls for abandonment of dollar in international trade

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called for the abandonment of the dollar in international trade and creation of alternatives to the American currency, including for settlements between the BRICS members (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

“Everyone knows that I am in favor of creating our own currency for trade between our countries. Why should we use the dollar in trade with Argentina or China, when it is possible to do this in our currencies? Why countries in which almost half of humanity lives cannot discuss it among themselves?” he said at a meeting with foreign media.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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