News - Middle East: Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has said that Iran's objectives are in alignment with those of the BRICS and Tehran -- along with other like-minded countries -- could be a "reliable partner" for the group of emerging economies.

The top Iranian diplomat made the remarks in an address to a meeting of the Friends of BRICS Foreign Ministers in Cape Town, South Africa, on Friday.
He said Iran can be influential given its “rich experience of active participation in international organizations, abundant energy resources, short and cost-effective transport and transit networks, educated and skillful human workforce, remarkable scientific and technological achievements, and above all, strong dedication and determination for contribution into a fair world order.”

The Iranian foreign minister said the Islamic Republic would soon organize a conference through coordination with the embassies of BRICS countries "to elaborate on existing potentials for cooperation between Iran and the group." 

Amir-Abdollahian said Iran's political and economic relations with the BRICS countries remain satisfactory as the trade value exceeds 30 billion dollars.
He said Tehran was determined to expand relations with the three BRICs countries of Russia, China and India within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Describing Iran, India and South Africa as active members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Amir-Abdollahian said the three countries are cooperating in various economic sectors. Iran, China, India, Brazil and South Africa are among like-minded and active members of the group of developing countries (G-77), he said.
‘BRICS, next significant target of Iran's multilateralism policy’
Elsewhere in his speech, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is among the pioneers of multilateralism. He said Tehran and some of the BRICS countries are members of major arrangements for multilateral cooperation.

"For the Islamic Republic of Iran, BRICS can be the next significant target of our multilateralism policy. This is why we are among the first states that have officially declared interest to join BRICS and its frameworks of cooperation."

BRICS has secured an important position in global relations thanks to the "combined capabilities and its serious efforts to strengthen multilateralism," the Iranian minister said.
Amir-Abdollahian underscored the importance of the joining of other regional like-minded powers to the BRICS, saying, "An extended BRICS can come up with 'Collective and Inclusive Governance', 'New South-South Cooperation' and 'Coalition of Emerging Economies'."
The BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which hold about half of the world’s population, accounting for 30 percent of the total land area of the world. The significance of this group and its leading role in the world economy has caused several countries including Iran to show a tendency to join.
Iran's foreign minister meets Emirati, Russian counterparts
On the sidelines of the BRICS Friends meeting, the Iranian foreign minister held separate meetings with his Emirati and Russian counterparts: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sergei Lavrov.
The diplomats discussed the latest issues of common interest and regional and international developments.