YEKATERINBURG, November 28. /TASS/. Russia expects to publish a list of the BRICS’ partner countries by the end of the year, Deputy Foreign Minister, BRICS Sherpa Sergey Ryabkov told reporters after a meeting of the association's Sherpas/Sous-Sherpas.

"We discussed the situation related to the introduction of a new category of BRICS - partner countries. You know that the world's interest in interacting with this structure is very high. We expect to publish a list of those countries that will be ready to become our partners by the end of this year, that is, by the end of our presidency. Thus, BRICS continues to grow stronger and develop," Ryabkov said.

Following the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the list of partner countries had been agreed upon. The complete list of such countries was not unveiled. As the Russian leader explained, invitations will first be sent to these states, and after receiving a positive response, it will be announced what countries are on this list. Since January 1, 2024, the BRICS association (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) has expanded to include five more countries: Egypt, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. Brazil will assume the presidency of BRICS from January 1, 2025.