Iran’s Membership in BRICS, SCO Effective in Neutralizing Sanctions: Former Official


TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Former spokesman of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Iran’s membership in the BRICS group of emerging economies and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is very effective in thwarting sanctions and Iran should take advantage of the opportunity created.

In response to this question that whether Iran’s accession to BRICS and SCO indicates a new approach in Iran’s foreign policy, Hamid Reza Asefi stated that Iran has attached great importance to its cooperation with the regional countries and neighbors since the glorious victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Accordingly, these approaches taken have become stronger and weaker in different governments in Iran due to the economic situation, he emphasized.

He called joining the regional and international treaties "a priority" for the Islamic Republic and added, “Experiences have shown that no country can develop its economy without joining the regional or global pacts, so that Iran’s joining of BRICS and SCO can boost its economy and trade in the international arena to a great extent.”

Asefi lashed out at lackluster performance in attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country and called on responsible officials to focus on attracting more foreign investment in the country to spur the economy.

He reiterated that Iran’s joining of BRICS and regional-international treaties is of paramount importance in defusing sanctions.