France asks for invite to South Africa's Brics summit

France has requested an invitation to attend a Brics summit scheduled to take place in South Africa in August, the country's foreign minister says.

"We are thinking aloud - but this is obviously a decision that only the countries concerned can take - about the possibility of continuing this dialogue, why not at the Brics summit or in another format," Catherine Colonna said on Monday, following talks with her South African counterpart Naledi Pandor.

Brics is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It is seen by some as an alternative to the G7 group of developed nations, who have been highly critical of China and Russia.

South Africa is currently holding the Brics presidency.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit Paris later this week to further discuss the French request.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Getty Images