Sharjah24 – AFP: Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan says that the kingdom shares "common principles" with the BRICS countries, during his speech at the group's annual summit in South Africa's Johannesburg. The BRICS -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- agreed to make Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates full members from January 1.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister stated, "Saudi Arabia enjoys a strong friendship, trade relationships and strategic partnerships with all the countries of the (BRICS) cooperation. The kingdom is proud of being the largest trading partner of the BRICS group in the Middle East. The total bilateral trade with the countries of the group exceeded $160 billion in 2022."
The Saudi Foreign Minister concluded, "The strategic relationship between the kingdom and the countries of the BRICS group is reinforced by frameworks of common principles, the most prominent of which is the firm belief in the principle of respecting the sovereignty and independence of states, not interfering in their affairs, adhering to the principles of international law and settling disputes by peaceful means."