Malaysia has officially applied to join the BRICS group, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Sunday.

This move was a key topic of discussion during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's two-day working visit to Malaysia.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister's office, Malaysia's application to BRICS was the main focus of the discussions between Anwar and Lavrov. The talks also covered various aspects of bilateral cooperation, including investment and trade, science and technology, agriculture, defense and military, education, and tourism and culture.

"Our discussions primarily centered on Malaysia's recent application for membership in the BRICS alliance, which Russia currently chairs. This potential membership holds substantial promise for both nations and underscores our commitment to fostering robust international collaboration," said Anwar.Lavrov expressed Russia's support for Malaysia's interest in joining BRICS, stating that Russia would help promote Malaysia's membership application.

The BRICS group, currently composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, aims to enhance cooperation among major emerging economies and improve their influence on global economic affairs. Malaysia's inclusion would further diversify the group's membership and potentially strengthen its role in international economic and political arenas. (ILKHA)