"I have already mentioned that a number of countries want full membership. This issue will be considered during the next year," it was stated by the Head of the Russian Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov in an interview with Ksenia Komissarova, Editor-in-Chief of the TV BRICS International Media Network, Paralel.Az reports.

"But many want just to be participants in BRICS events. There are more than thirty of them. As I have already mentioned, the criteria for forming the category of “partner countries” will be agreed upon.

The Russian Chairmanship sent invitations to some of the states that requested to join our work after the Kazan summit. There are more than ten such countries that enjoy consensus among the current BRICS members," added Russian Foreign Minister.