Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov informed journalists about this. “One of the important results of the summit [in Kazan] was the establishment of the category of BRICS partner countries and the approval of a list of 13 states. Corresponding invitations were sent to these states. Confirmations of readiness to become a BRICS partner state have been received by today from Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan,” Ushakov emphasized. He added that responses from four more countries, to which invitations have also been sent, should be received in the near future. The Kremlin clarified that Eritrea is also seeking cooperation with BRICS. It was previously reported that Algeria and Nigeria should receive the status of a partner country of the association.