WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 16th May, 2019) Security is an important area of cooperation for BRICS member states, Head of BRICS Office at Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Kalugin told Sputnik.
"Security is an important point of our cooperation. We have the main mechanism of cooperation: meetings of high representatives of the BRICS countries on security issues," Kalugin said on Wednesday.
These meetings, held each year, usually include presidential aides for national security - in Russia's case Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, Kalugin said.
"They are usually preceded by a meeting of specialized working groups on antiterrorism, in the sphere of international information security, anti-corruption, there is also a dialogue being held on the fight against organized crime. All these results are reported at a meeting of high security representatives. It will be held in the second half of this year," he added.
Kalugin stressed that these meetings are an important mechanism for the exchange of views, and a search for joint solutions.
"In addition, there is the work of international organizations. That is, our missions in New York , in Geneva, The Hague, Rome... They have a dialogue, they have consultation mechanisms, they can exchange views, make joint statements where possible and necessary, and take joint steps, including on these issues," the diplomat added.
BRICS is an association of five developing economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa - which comprise over one-third of the world's population.
Kalugin spoke at the "Doing Business with the BRICS" Conference organized by the Eurasia Center and the Eurasian Business Coalition.
The seventh annual conference brought together various experts and officials from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa seeking to expand trade, direct investments and business opportunities, as well as open communication.
