The BRICS could create their own parliament in the future: Russia’s Putin

MOSCOW:

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the BRICS economic bloc may establish its own parliament in the future.

Addressing participants at the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg, Putin said regular meetings of lawmakers from BRICS countries would help the process of establishing a parliament.

“The BRICS do not yet have their own statutory parliamentary structure. But I believe that this idea will materialize in the future. Your forum, I am sure, will contribute to that,” he asserted.

The Russian president praised the lawmakers’ efforts to forge ties between BRICS member countries and address issues of socio-economic development, improve the welfare of nations, reduce international tensions and shape “a more just, democratic, multipolar and multilateral world class”.

“The emergence of a world order that reflects the real balance of power and the new geopolitical, economic and demographic realities is a complex process, often painful. This is primarily due to stiff resistance from the ruling elites of the so-called “golden billion”. “, he said.

Putin emphasized pressure on those in independent positions, arguing that coercion, unilateral sanctions, selective application of trade rules and blackmail are being used in violation of international law.

Meanwhile, the BRICS prioritize positive changes in the global economy, focusing on strengthening the share of national currencies in trade and investment and developing safe and reliable financial instruments and mutual settlement mechanisms, he added.

On the sidelines of the forum, Putin held separate meetings with the heads of the parliaments of China and Tanzania, Zhao Leji and Tulia Ackson, respectively.

BRICS, founded in 2009 with Brazil, Russia, India and China, added South Africa in 2011, expanding its name, formed from the first letters of the names of the founding countries, to BRICS.

Last December, six more countries joined the group, but it decided to keep its existing name.