Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  Uzbekistan has been granted the status of a partner country in BRICS at the organization’s summit in Kazan.

In addition to Uzbekistan, this status has been awarded to 12 other countries, including Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, and Uganda.

The awarding of partner status is a necessary step towards potential full membership in BRICS.

However, at this time, not all countries that have received partner status, including Uzbekistan, have expressed intentions to become full members of the organization.

BRICS was established in 2006, and its current members include Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia.