UNITED NATIONS - Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Wednesday called on BRICS countries to seize opportunities to increase the level of cooperation among them.

The statement came as Yang attended a meeting of foreign ministers of BRICS countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, on the sidelines of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly.

Yang said that the BRICS countries have strengthened communication and coordination on major regional and international issues, boosted pragmatic cooperation in all areas, increased their influence and expanded common interests during the past year.

He called on the five countries to catch chances to push their cooperation to a new level.

All participants of the meeting agreed that as representatives of the emerging economies and developing countries, it is of important significance that the BRICS countries enhance cooperation, which is conducive to the recovery and growth of world economy and provide impetus to global economic governance.

The foreign ministers also exchanged their views on the regional and international issues of common concerns such as the situation in the Middle East and reform in global governance.