The BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting concluded in Brazil, where they discussed key issues on the global agenda as well as the association's priorities for the current year. Following the meeting, the Brazilian side issued a statement.

In addition to the meetings with the participation of representatives of the group's states and BRICS partner countries, a number of bilateral meetings were held.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, as well as the Foreign Ministers of China and Ethiopia, Wang Yi and Gedion Timothewos.

Wang Yi assured of China's full support for Brazil's BRICS presidency and emphasised readiness to strengthen the voice of the global South in the international arena, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's press service reported. Vieira, for his part, said it was necessary to deepen co-operation with China in the fields of economy, science, health, and technology.

The talks with Gedion Timothewos focused on joint efforts on food security, increasing agrarian productivity, transition to green energy and ecosystem restoration. This is reported by ENA, a partner of TV BRICS .

Wang Yi also met with counterparts from Russia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Cuba, Nigeria, and Thailand on the margins of the BRICS Ministerial meeting. The Head of the South African Ministry, Ronald Lamola, emphasised the high level of trust between South Africa and China, saying they intend to deepen ties in trade, energy, education, and other areas. For his part, the Ethiopian minister in talks with Wang Yi expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation with China on the "One Belt, One Road" initiative.

In addition, on the margins of the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a series of meetings with the heads of agencies of the group's partner countries, including Thailand, Bolivia, and Cuba. With Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, he discussed the possible conclusion of a free trade area (FTA) agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Kingdom.

"During productive talks with Russia – another key player in BRICS – I expressed Thailand's desire to move forward with FTA negotiations with the EAEU, expand tourism exchanges and expressed appreciation for the organisation of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra's successful tours in Moscow and St. Petersburg," Sangiampongsa wrote on social media following the meeting.

The talks between the representatives of the BRICS partner countries drew separate attention among the packed agenda of the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting. According to Prensa Latina, a TV BRICS partner, the Bolivian side agreed with Cuba and Belarus to intensify cooperation in strategically important areas – energy, health, agriculture, tourism, and in the field of biotechnology.

Photo: Flickr / Isabela Castillo / BRICS Brasil /  Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs / ENA