"Indonesia is studying the membership of BRICS. Thus, if it is said that Indonesia refuses (to join), it is not true," he said in Jakarta on Friday at a press conference ahead of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Minister's Meeting.
When asked for a response regarding two ASEAN members, namely Thailand and Malaysia, who have conveyed interest in joining BRICS, Suryodipuro said that it is a common aspiration.
He explained that ASEAN is a regional institution that is not a supranational body.
Thus, ASEAN countries do not have a common foreign policy but have regional mechanisms to develop cooperation based on common interests.
"ASEAN members have been free to develop cooperation with other parties. For instance, at the beginning of its establishment, there were one or more ASEAN members who were part of a military alliance system," he said.
Furthermore, Suryodipuro confirmed that ASEAN members joining other alliances would not affect or reduce the centrality of ASEAN.
"The geographical space of ASEAN has never been monopolized by ASEAN alone, but since the beginning, it has always facilitated various mechanisms operating in the Southeast Asia region," he said.
BRICS was established as a cooperation platform for major developing countries, which brought together Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa joined the group in 2010.
Russia took over the 2024 chairmanship of the bloc on January 1.
BRICS has expanded its membership to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has not yet formalized its participation but has taken part in the BRICS meeting.
Russia claimed that 24 countries are hoping to join the bloc.
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Translator: Yashinta Difa, Raka Adji
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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