Bahrain keen to join BRICS

Bahrain is keen to join BRICS and take part in the association's work, but there are a number of obstacles. The Ambassador of Bahrain in Moscow, Ahmed Al-Saati, told RIA Novosti on 26 March.

The ambassador noted that the country seeks to join and participate in the work of both BRICS and other international economic and political organisations. In turn, the diplomat noted, Russia has done everything to ensure that we too are in this association, but there are documents that are not yet ready for the country to join BRICS.
Earlier, on 19 March, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for the inclusion of the economies of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in the work of BRICS. One of the areas of work mentioned by Putin is the system of settlements in national currencies. He noted that it is necessary to ensure that it functions as a separate, modern, new, high-tech settlement centre.
On 6 March, the Russian president said that BRICS has a powerful attraction for various countries of the world. According to him, the informal intergovernmental association "was born in Russia".

Earlier, on 1 January, Putin announced the desire of some 30 countries to join BRICS. He noted that the association is attracting more and more like-minded people. According to the president, this year, during its presidency of the organisation, the Russian Federation will work to increase its role in the international monetary and financial system.

BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation founded in 2006. Initially it consisted of Brazil, Russia, India and China. It was later joined by the Republic of South Africa and, from 2024, by Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia.