Jakarta, July 10 -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has praised Indonesia for its initiative in hosting the 1955 Asian-African Conference in Bandung, West Java, which brought together developing nations to amplify their shared interests.

At a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Lula also welcomed Indonesia as the newest full member of the BRICS economic group following its accession in January this year.

"Welcoming Indonesia as a BRICS member is like opening my house to an old friend," Lula said at the Palacio do Planalto in Brasilia, Brazil, on Wednesday (July 9), according to a statement from Prabowo's office on Thursday.

Reflecting on the historic Bandung Conference, Lula emphasized Indon...