TIANJIN /China/, September 10 /ITAR-TASS/. Russia will strengthen cooperation with the BRICS group of countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) in conditions of Western economic sanctions, Russian Vice-Premier Arkady Dvorkovich told ITAR-TASS on Wednesday.

“We will boost cooperation with the BRICS countries in the first place as well as with any other countries that do not impose senseless sanctions against Russia. Naturally, BRICS is a clear priority,” Dvorkovich, who is attending the Annual Summit of New Champions -2014 in Tianjin, said.

“The sanctions are causing damage not only to the Russian but also European economy,” Dvorkovich told a meeting devoted to developing markets.

“They are bringing new challenges. Therefore, Russia needs new reliable partners to maintain its sustainable economic growth and to stop the conflict raging on its borders,” the Russian vice-premier said.

Dvorkovich explained that the developing markets had undergone considerable changes in recent years.

“Today, their economic growth depends not so much on cooperation with developed countries but on how these markets interact among themselves,” Dvorkovich said.