By Javid Agha in Baku Azerbaijan has formally applied for membership of the BRICS loose association of developing countries, according to the pro-government news outlet Report. The outlet quoted the spokesman of the foreign ministry, Aykhan Hajizade. Azerbaijan has previously expressed interest in joining. On July 3, during the Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China adopted a joint declaration establishing a strategic partnership. As outlined in paragraph 4.5 of the declaration, Azerbaijan expressed its intention to join B…