BRICS move on as Europe looks the other way

Entangled in the Greek debt crisis, few European policymakers had the time or interest to pay attention to the recent summit talks in the Russian city of Ufa between the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, collectively known as the BRICS.

True, Europe had its hands full with Greece and the looming possibility of a Greek exit from the Eurozone. But the world does not stop for Europe. And pretending that the BRICS don't matter - or matter little - is not an option.

Discussions about the rapidly transforming world, the role and influence of the BRICS and Europe's relations with emerging powers appear to be off the European Union agenda. For now, the focus is rightly on the acrimony the Greek crisis has triggered across the EU and the worsening relationships among eurozone leaders.