Putin calls on BRICS to oppose protectionism, show leadership on global issues

Russian President Vladimir Putin called on leaders of emerging markets and economies i.e. BRICS countries to present a united opposition front against protectionism and new barriers in global trade.

Putin also asked BRICS countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to show leadership on issues of regional and global importance, including counter terrorism.

"BRICS countries will continue to act in a consolidated manner against protectionism and new barriers in global trade. We value the BRICS countries' consensus on this issue, which allows us to more consistently advocate the foundations of an open, equal and mutually beneficial multilateral trade system and to strengthen the role of the WTO as the key regulator in international trade."Putin said indicating that BRICS will move towards new horizons of strategic partnership.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping will chair 9th BRICS Xiamen Summit in China's southeastern coastal city of Xiamen in Fujian Province from Sept. 3 to 5,Putin said that Moscow stands for strengthening the BRICS countries' partnership and to promote democracy and to strengthen the international relations based firmly on international law".

Putin said,"All countries can help bring about global stability and find solutions to many acute conflicts, including those in the Middle East. However, the fight against terrorists in Syria and other countries and regions must continue. Russia calls for going over from debates to the practical creation of a broad counterterrorism front based on international law and led by the UN."

As BRICS members will also hold dialogue of emerging markets and developing countries on mutually beneficial cooperation for common development, Putin said "Russia highly values the multifaceted cooperation that has developed within BRICS. Our countries' constructive cooperation on the international arena is aimed at creating a fair multipolar world and equal development conditions for all."

Russian president hoped that Xiamen Summit will help invigorate our countries' efforts towards finding solutions to the challenges of the 21st century and will propel cooperation within BRICS to a higher level.

"China's significant contribution as this year's chair of the organisation has allowed the BRICS countries as a group to move forward in all the key areas of our partnership, including politics, the economy and culture. Moreover, the group of five has greatly strengthened its global standing,"Putin added.

Reminding the principles on which BRICS was constituted, Putin said "Within BRICS, nothing is ever forced on anyone. When the approaches of its members do not coincide, we work patiently and carefully to coordinate them on equality, respect for one another's opinions and consensus .This open and trust-based atmosphere is conducive to the successful implementation of our tasks."

Russia stands for closer coordination of the BRICS countries' foreign policies, primarily at the UN and G20, as well as other international organisations.

Moscow warned that Korean Peninsula is on the brink of a large-scale conflict and "the policy of putting pressure on Pyongyang to stop its nuclear missile programme is misguided and futile." The region's problems should only be settled through a direct dialogue of all the parties concerned without any preconditions. Provocations, pressure and militarist and insulting rhetoric are a dead-end road.

Russia shares the BRICS countries' concerns over the unfairness of the global financial and economic architecture, which does not give due regard to the growing weight of the emerging economies. Pointing out specific areas that Russia will be discussing during the BRICS summit , Putin said, "There is a need for establishment of a BRICS Energy Research Platform which would enable us to coordinate our information, analysis and research activities in the interests of the five BRICS countries and would ultimately facilitate the implementation of joint energy investment projects.