Macron’s intention was mentioned to Naledi Pandor, the South African Foreign Minister, she said.

I expressed to her the president’s availability and his interest in continuing the dialogue that France maintains with the Brics group, she noted.

Regarding Macron’s participation in the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit, Colonna pointed out that it would have to take place “in full compliance with international law.”

This statement, according to specialized media, would allude to the planned attendance to the event of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, a body to which Moscow is not a party, but Pretoria is.

In this regard, Pandor stated that President Macron’s participation, if it were to take place, would be the first in the practices adopted to date in the Brics summits.

However, she noted, it is the host who determines who should be invited. The decision, she added, rests on South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

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