MEXICO, Mar. 3 (TASS) – Mexico has not applied for BRICS membership but is keeping a close eye on its development, the country’s foreign ministry said.

"Mexico has not asked for being admitted to BRICS. Mexico is closely following the association’s development bearing in mind the economic weight of its member nations and bilateral relations our country is maintaining with its members," the ministry wrote on its X account, commenting on media reports that the country wants to join BRICS already this year.

"We would like to note that such statements are groundless," the ministry added.

The BRIC group was established in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China. In 2011, South Africa joined the group, adding the "S" to the acronym. In August 2023, six new members, including Argentina, were invited to join the association. However, Argentina refused from joining BRICS in late December, while the other five nations, namely Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia, became full-fledged members of BRICS from January 1, 2024.