Indonesia Accepts Offers To Become A State Of BRICS Partners, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Of The Republic Of Indonesia: The Ball Is In Their Hands

Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Roy Soemirat. (Indonesian/ABI Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Foreign Ministry spokesman Roy Soemirat said the decision to be referred to as a partner state of BRICS was considered a temporary decision, before a full decision was made at the next summit.

He explained this when asked about the news that Indonesia had accepted the offer to become a partner country of BRICS.

In a statement from Brazil Roy explained, at the BRICS Plus Summit (in Kazan, Russia in October), Indonesia, represented by Foreign Minister Sugiono as the special envoy of the president, officially submitted an application to become a full member of the BRICS.

"According to our understanding, BRICS members are currently considering our petition based on their internal process," a spokesman for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a short message to VOI, Wednesday, November 20.

"Regarding their decision on what partner countries call it, we consider it a temporary decision before a full decision is made at the next summit," Roy explained.

"Bola is in their hands now," he said.

He added that his party would not discuss the substance before members of BRICS decided further the answer to Indonesia's petition.

"However, according to our understanding, BRICS' priorities have many similarities with our priorities," said Roy.

As previously reported, the Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Jose Antonio Morato Tavares confirmed that Indonesia had accepted an invitation to become a partner country of BRICS.

"That's right, receiving the offer," he said in a short message to VOI.

"Receiving here also means we accept to make a BRICS country partner," he continued.

When asked whether the government in Jakarta should answer the invitation to officially become a partner country, he said, "Jakarta has answered."

Previously, Ambassador Jose Tavares in an interview with TAS confirmed the invitation.

"Yes, (we have received the invitation). This is a positive development. Now, we have become a partner country of BRICS," the diplomat said, quoted from TASS.

He explained that this status allowed Indonesia to participate in the group meeting as partner countries.

He added, in this role, Indonesia "will actively contribute and participate in any initiative carried out by BRICS."

It is known, after the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the group had approved a list of partner countries, although their names were not disclosed. In the early stages, invitations will be given to these countries, and announcements will be made after a positive response is received.

BRICS was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining in 2011. On January 1, 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates became full members.