STORY: BRICS entering new stage of development: Russian scholar
DATELINE: Aug. 28, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:42
LOCATION: Moscow
CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Johannesburg and 15th BRICS Summit
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Russian): ALEXEY MASLOV, Director, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Moscow State University
3. various of China
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Russian): ALEXEY MASLOV, Director, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Moscow State University

STORYLINE:

A Russian scholar has said that "BRICS is entering a new stage of development."

The 15th BRICS Summit was held on Aug. 22-24 in Johannesburg, South Africa amid increased interest among developing countries to join the bloc.

During the summit, BRICS leaders agreed to invite six countries, namely Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to join the group. Their membership will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Russian): ALEXEY MASLOV, Director, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Moscow State University
"BRICS is indeed entering a new stage of development. BRICS was formed in a completely different era when there were different economic prospects and a different degree of political security. And now the BRICS is gradually being rebuilt.
Therefore, I think that this will probably be the most significant BRICS forum in recent years.
Of course, the BRICS is becoming an extremely attractive association."

Maslov also highlighted China's role within the BRICS mechanism.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Russian): ALEXEY MASLOV, Director, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Moscow State University
"China, of course, stands in favor of a reasonable expansion of the BRICS association, with regard to economic interaction, the elimination of tariff barriers, simplified customs clearance procedures, and so on.
China has introduced several very significant BRICS initiatives in recent years. Firstly, of course, an initiative to use the BRICS platform for the purposes of global development and sustainability. What is particularly significant is cooperation within new economic formats."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Moscow.
(XHTV)