Bruxelles 07.12.2023 by Anna van Densky
The “Rising Power of BRICS: Implications for the European Union” conference tооk place at the European Parliament, with the participation of seven MEPs, prominent diplomats, and experts.
The Vocal Europe Team with the support of the European People’s Party (EPP) group conducted a policy debate discussing the issue of absence of any functional dialogue between the 27th bloc and the BRICS countries club – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
The event, titled “BRICS: Threat, Competition, or Opportunity for the EU?” aimed at regarding the multifaceted aspects of this relationship and both the potential challenges and opportunities it manifests.
The BRICS countries collectively represent a considerable share of the world’s population, economy, and rapidly growing political influence. Their rising prominence in international affairs poses questions about the implications for the European Union in terms of trade, security, and diplomacy, even challenging the Brussels powers as a global player.
From 2024 1st of January at the last BRICS Summit were accepted six new Members of the Club: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
However, it was no the end of the queue, because more countries express their interest to join: Algeria, Bolivia, Indonesia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Gabon, and Kazakhstan.
These new members to the BRICS alliance will undoubtedly further reshape the global landscape, as they assemble one third of world’s resources, and GDP. Long with more inclusive membership, the BRICS nations are poised to exercise even greater influence on global affairs, potentially altering the dynamics of their interactions with the European Union and the rest of the world.
As these countries continue to interact and define their common goals, it will be essential for the EU to closely monitor the evolving relationships and partnerships that emerge within this expanded coalition.
The conference has assembled a distinguished panel of speakers to provide insights and perspectives on this crucial geopolitical topic. The expert panel has engaged in a discussion, exploring various aspects of the BRICS-EU relationship, with a focus on the following topics, starting with the BRICS Perspective; the BRICS countries in the global context; the growing BRICS and EU imbalances.
Utmost interest of audience was raised by the variety of opinions expressed by MEPs: Helmut Geuking, EPP, Henry Malosse, Vocal Europe Chariman, and former EESC president, MEP Marcel de Graaff, MEP Joachim Kuhs, MEP Gilles Lebreton; H.E. Ms. Tokozile Xasa, Ambassador, Head of Mission of the Republic of South Africa to the European Union. The session was moderated by Bjorn Hultin, managing director of Intercity Consulting International.
