Enhanced international economic cooperation should be “welcomed and encouraged,” the fund’s spokeswoman has said
Expansion of BRICS could be beneficial globally and should therefore be “encouraged,” Julie Kozack, a spokeswoman for the International Monetary Fund (IMF), told journalists on Friday in response to a question about Ankara’s plans to join the group.
Türkiye was the latest nation to formally apply for BRICS membership in early September. Founded in 2009 by Russia, China, India and Brazil, the organization was joined by South Africa the following year. In 2024, the group expanded further to include Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia.
Earlier on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that up to 34 nations had expressed interest in BRICS, with ongoing discussions about potential partnerships.
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When asked if the IMF “sees any dangers in BRICS,” Kozack replied, “our view is that improved and expanding international cooperation and deepening trade and investment ties among groups of countries should be welcomed and encouraged,” especially if aimed at “reducing fragmentation and lowering trade and investment costs” among participating nations.
The spokeswoman also emphasized that “the decision to join such initiatives is a sovereign decision of each member country.”
Ankara has previously asserted its right to establish relations with any nation or international organization it deems fit, stating that its engagement with BRICS or the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) does not interfere with its other commitments, including to NATO.