Citing sources “with knowledge of the matter”, the news agency reports that the Erdoğan government believes that “the geopolitical center of gravity is shifting away from developed economies.” However, it wants to maintain its obligations as a key member of NATO.
Since July, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had hinted that Turkey has set its sights on the BRICS, while the Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, also mentioned “increased interest in the BRICS organization” in his statements.
The report indicates that the request has been made for several months, as Ankara has been “disappointed” by “the lack of progress in its EU membership efforts for decades.” This move, it noted, is also “partly a result of rifts with other NATO members, as Turkey has maintained close ties with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.”
“Turkey can become a strong, prosperous, prestigious, and effective country if it improves its relations with both the East and the West simultaneously,” Erdoğan said in Istanbul over the weekend. “Any other method apart from this will not benefit Turkey, but will harm it.”
The BRICS organization is named after the initials of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It also includes the countries of Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and Egypt.
Source: Turkey Bids to Join BRICS in Push to Build Alliances Beyond West