Azerbaijan announced on Tuesday that it has officially applied for membership in the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizada during an interview with Anadolu.
Azerbaijan’s interest in joining BRICS was first noted in a joint declaration with China on establishing a strategic partnership, signed during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit held in Astana last month.
The declaration expressed Azerbaijan’s desire to join BRICS, with China welcoming the move.
This step highlights the strengthening ties between the two nations in the context of regional and global cooperation.
During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Azerbaijan from Aug. 18-19, a joint declaration further expressed Moscow’s support for Baku’s bid to join the BRICS bloc.
Originally formed in 2006, BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
This year, the bloc expanded by welcoming Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE as new full members.
