«Such measures disrupt global supply chain and bring more uncertainty to the global economy,» the statement said.
«They called upon all sides to take measures to defend free trade and multilateral trading system, with a view to addressing current trade challenges and fostering a favorable trade and investment environment for all, especially for EMDCs and developing countries,» the statement went on to say.
They recognized that the WTO (World Trade Organization) is the «only multilateral institution with the necessary mandate to set the rules for the multilateral trading system,» according to the statement.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla on the sidelines of a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers signed a Joint Declaration on Ways and Means to Counter, Mitigate and Compensate the Negative Consequences of Unilateral Coercive Measures.
During the ceremony, Lavrov expressed confidence that Cuba, as a BRICS partner country, will play an «active and constructive role» in the work of the group. «We welcome your participation, which I hope will enrich our work,» the Russian minister said.
His Cuban counterpart thanked Russia for its support. «Fortunately, our countries have excellent bilateral relations, as they develop economic, educational, cultural and scientific ties,» he said.
Opinions of BRICS countries in respect of consequences of fragmentation of the global economy coincide, Lavrov said after the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brazil.
«We do not mention any names there, in the concluding document – it will be circulated, but it contains our common approaches to what is taking place in the global economy. Above all, the concluding document enshrines our common conclusion on adverse consequences of fragmentation of the global economy, the concern of weakening multilateralism, breach of rules of justice and inclusivity, which must underlie the trade system,» the minister said.
«On the whole, I believe, the position coincides among our colleagues, members and partner countries. It will underpin preparation of relevant documents for the [BRICS] Summit that will take place on July 6-7 in Rio de Janeiro,» Lavrov noted.
The World Trade Organization should remain in the center of the trade system, which needs to be adapted to current realities, he added.
The subject of creating an alternative to the International Criminal Court (ICC) within BRICS was brought up during the meeting of foreign ministers, but it was ultimately not included in the final communique, Lavrov said.
«This topic was raised, but it was not reflected in the final document because BRICS should not take it upon itself to establish any judicial bodies of its own,» the foreign minister noted.
He emphasized that Russia supports the idea that «international judicial processes should rely on a strong consensus of all states and participants.» In this context, Lavrov stated, «the ICC has completely discredited itself.»
«This structure is being manipulated by Western countries: some states openly committing actions that violate international humanitarian law are overlooked, while punitive steps, including so-called arrest warrants, are selectively imposed on others without substantiated evidence.
The foreign minister noted that Russia, independently of BRICS, is advancing an initiative to depoliticize international justice on the global stage, including through the United Nations, in order to gain the broadest possible support.
«We are doing this to prevent further cases where crucial matters concerning state immunities, as protected by international law, are handed over to such blatantly biased bodies as the ICC,» Russia’s top diplomat explained. However, «this is a long-term endeavor,» he added.
Lavrov also recalled that the African Union once expressed collective support for withdrawing from the ICC’s jurisdiction and that this sentiment still resonates among its members.