The work of the BRICS group arouses the West's jealousy, annoyance and irritation, and as a hostile reaction to this, it is trying to pressure the member states in various ways, Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said on Wednesday.
"We see how deeply the United States and its Western allies are upset, and perhaps even jealous, about the work of the BRICS group, and this is reflected in their positions and interests," Matvienko added in an interview with Russia 24.
She continued: "They are trying to pressure member states in every possible way and prevent them from traveling and moving freely. However, despite all the pressures, the process of building a multipolar world and striving for state sovereignty cannot be stopped."
She pointed out that the BRICS association needs to develop criteria for the accession of new candidate countries for membership.
“It is wise to say that it is still necessary to set some standards. Partner countries must fit these standards. The group is not a club of interests, but a group of like-minded countries that share the same views on the development of international relations, the role of the United Nations, and are also countries that oppose interference in the sovereign affairs of any country, and support prevailing international laws and not rules set by a group of individuals,” she added.
Matvienko pointed out that these standards could be adopted during the BRICS summit to be held in Kazan next October.
“First, the partner country must meet the criteria for BRICS membership, and I think this process will move forward very quickly after that,” she concluded.
At the beginning of this year, the BRICS group included Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, in addition to Russia, Brazil, India, China, and South Africa.
The BRICS group represents 45% of the world's population and 36% of global GDP, which exceeds the G7's 30% .