RIO DE JANEIRO, February 18 (RIA Novosti) - Cooperation between Brazil and Russia is expanding in all sectors, the Brazilian minister of development, industry and foreign trade said Saturday.

Luiz Fernando Furlan, speaking to foreign journalists in Rio, said: "Bilateral relations between Brazil and Russia are consistently developing, and stimulating growth in trade via BRIC [a coalition of Brazil, Russia, India, and China]."

The four BRIC countries, all emerging markets with large populations and territories, signed a trade and cooperation agreement in 2002.

The Brazilian government considers BRIC to be a priority area for developing economic and trade links, the minister said.