MOSCOW, November 27. /TASS/. BRICS is becoming an association that represents the interests of the "global majority," and Moscow feels responsible for its further strengthening, Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said, speaking at the Primakov Readings forum.

He recalled all the work done by former Russian state official Yevgeny Primakov to develop relations between Russia, China and India. The Kremlin representative pointed out that the foundations of the BRICS association, "which has become the most important instrument of global governance at the vanguard of the global majority today," were laid down during Primakov’s visits to Beijing and New Delhi.

"As everyone is well aware, Russia will preside over this expanded association next year. And, without a doubt, we realize our responsibility for making sure that the new BRICS members successfully integrate themselves into the association’s working culture, and for the association itself, correspondingly, so that it increases its influence in global politics and global affairs," Ushakov noted.

In August of this year, 23 countries officially applied for BRICS membership. Currently, the association includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. During the August 22-24 Summit, Argentina, Egypt, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia were invited to join the association.