Lavrov Praises U.A.E.’s Entry into BRICS

Sept. 3, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)—In a Sept. 1 meeting with students and faculty of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University), Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was asked about how inviting the United Arab Emirates to join the BRICS would affect the organization and bilateral relations. He responded that

“It will be a very positive influence both on our bilateral relations and on the relations between the United Arab Emirates and the rest of the BRICS family.... And the reason for this successful cooperation is that both the United Arab Emirates and the Russian Federation proceed from their national interests and would not tolerate any pressure that would have a detrimental effect on our national and economic interests and the interests of our people. So, the future is very bright,”

Lavrov replied.

He stated in his main remarks that neither Russia nor the BRICS is out to destroy the dollar. “We are not directing our policies against the United States or the West. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that we do not want to ‘bury’ the dollar; rather, Washington has ceased to ensure the role of the currency that everyone found acceptable,” Lavrov told the MGIMO gathering, according to the transcript posted to the Foreign Ministry website. He further stressed in response to another question that at the moment, none of the so-called reserve currencies—the euro, the yen, and the dollar itself—is reliable.