Pashinyan to Attend BRICKS Economic Summit in Russia

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will attend an economic summit being hosted by Russia of a group of emerging economies next month.

The group, known as BRICS, is comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Armenia has been invited to take part as an observer.

Pashinyan’s press secretary, Nazeli Baghdasaryan on Friday confirmed the Prime Minister will take part in the gathering, slated to take place from October 22 to 24 in the Russian city of Kazan. Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan announced Armenia’s participation on Wednesday.

Pashinyan’s trip to Russia comes at a time of heightened tensions between Yerevan and Moscow. Among the issues that have escalated the row between the two countries was Armenia’s decision to “freeze” its participation in the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization. More recently, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has voiced support for Azerbaijan’s scheme to carve out a “corridor” through Armenia’s Syunik Province as a connector to Nakhichevan. Russia is also critical of Yerevan’s recent overtures toward the West.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey also has confirmed his attendance at the summit. Azerbaijan, which applied for membership in BRICS, has not yet to confirm its participation.

BRICS group, founded in 2009, represents almost half of the world population. One member state, India, has signed a weapons delivery deal with Armenia.