BRICS: Foreign interference in Syria 'unacceptable'

The world’s five leading emerging economies, represented by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have released a statement that condemns foreign interference in Syria.

It is important to give the Arab Republic’s government and the opposition a chance to start a dialogue, “without saying that such a dialogue is doomed to failure from the start and that only military actions can restore order,” President Dmitry Medvedev told reporters on Thursday at the conclusion of the fourth BRICS summit, held in New Delhi, India. The Russian leader stressed that a military approach to the Syrian crisis, which is pitting anti-government militants against the government of President Bashar al-Assad, would be “the most shortsighted and dangerous.” He stressed that the BRICS member states “will promote the success” of the Syrian dialogue. Medvedev also suggested his partners from BRICS organize joint humanitarian aid to the Syrian people. The Russian president noted that Russia is already providing such aid to the conflict-torn country. The BRICS Summit also focused their attention on other pressing global issues, including reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Read related column here