In a broad-ranging interview with foreign correspondents, held Aug. 2 at the Foreign Ministry (Itamaraty), Brazilian President Lula da Silva quickly dispensed with the lies put out by Bloomberg News, Reuters, and others of their ilk insisting that Brazil opposed any expansion of the BRICS, of which it is a member. On the contrary, Lula said, “I believe it is extremely important for Saudi Arabia to join the BRICS. I believe it is extremely important for the United Arab Emirates to join the BRICS if they wish, and Argentina. Of course, I don’t decide this alone, all members have to decide on this.”
As quoted by O Globo, Lula added, “I believe it is extremely important that other countries that meet the BRICS requirements be allowed to join. From a global standpoint, I believe that the BRICS can play what I would call an exceptional role.” It can function as a counterpoint to “reeducate” those institutions currently controlled by Western powers, he underscored. In that context, Lula lambasted the G7 group. “I hope that one day, people will realize that the G7’s way of discussing policy is outdated. It’s necessary to open up. In truth, after the creation of the G20, the G7 should never have [continued] to exist. The same people participate in the G7 and the G20, so I don’t know why it’s still around.”
