Europe forum in Sochi highlights shift toward Eurasia
The second BRICS–Europe symposium opened this week in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. It is dedicated to setting out steps to strengthen cooperation between countries in the group and the region.
Lindiwe Zulu, a senior member of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, said her country had taken part in the initiative the first time as well, and viewed the second meeting as “an important step in advancing this movement.”
Zulu said the forum held particular significance for Africa, adding that unity must be backed by action.
”Our commitment is to ensure that this movement grows from strength for peace, security and the prosperity of the African people,” she added.
Pierre de Gaulle, grandson of the late French President Charles de Gaulle, is the event’s honorary guest. Germany’s Steffen Kotre, a Bundestag deputy from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, also joined the meeting, drawing political controversy at home.
Alexei Gromyko, director of the Institute of Europe at the Russian Academy of Sciences, addressed the symposium, saying the rapid development of BRICS reflected “a shift in the center of gravity of global politics and economics toward Eurasia.”
The BRICS–Europe symposium is being held by the United Russia party and the international movement “The Other Ukraine” in collaboration with the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is a forum on economic and social cooperation and is taking place on November 14–15. More than 40 European politicians are attending, including members of the European Parliament. Delegations from China, Brazil, Iran, Indonesia, Belarus, Algeria, Cuba, Cambodia, Ethiopia and South Africa are represented at the event by senior officials.
