Indonesia Still Weighing Benefits of BRICS Membership, Minister Retno Says

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said the government was still weighing the benefits of joining the economic cooperation organization with Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS). She stressed that in principle, Indonesia is open to cooperation with all parties as long as it is mutually beneficial.

“We always calculate our foreign policy. So there is no sudden decision. This is the basic position we take when we consider joining an international organization like BRICS,” Retno said at a discussion event on Indonesian diplomacy in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Thursday, January 4.

According to her, Indonesia has good trade relations with each BRICS member country, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran.

Retno said that Indonesia's largest trade value was with the two BRICS members, China and India. "So even if we haven't joined BRICS yet, our relations with each country will be maintained very well," he said.

Saudi Arabia recently announced to be a member of BRICS, as reported by Saudi state television on Tuesday, January 2. Previously, Saudi's Foreign Minister said in August 2023 that the kingdom would study the details before the proposed accession date on January 1 and would make the appropriate decision.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan had seen BRICS as "a beneficial and important channel" for enhancing economic cooperation. The bloc was set to double in size with the addition of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, and Ethiopia.

NABIILA AZZAHRA A. | REUTERS

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