There Türkiye has applied for membership in the BRICS. This is news of great resonance due to Ankara’s geopolitical position. The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoganseeking greater strategic autonomy, has embarked on a new path that could lead NATO’s first member into the bloc of emerging economies represented by the BRICS.
Turkey asks to join BRICS
Turkey has recently confirmed its interest in joining the BRICS bloc, an economic and political alliance composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africawhich in recent years has welcomed new members such as Iran, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Egypt. News of Ankara’s formal membership request was initially reported by Bloombergbut subsequently the statements of the spokesman of the ruling party, Ömer Celikhave cast some doubt on the official submission of the application.
During a press conference, Çelik made it clear that Turkey has made some steps forward towards BRICS membership, but has not confirmed the submission of a formal application. Ankara has long expressed its desire to balance its relations between East and Westseeking greater strategic autonomy and reducing dependence on Western institutions such as NATO and the European Union.
Second Sinan Ulgendirector of the Istanbul-based Center for Economic and Foreign Policy Studies, there are two main dynamics behind Turkey’s interest in the BRICS. On the one hand, Ankara wants to strengthen its autonomy in foreign policyimproving relations with non-Western powers such as Russia and China. On the other hand, the continuing frustrations in relations with the West (for example after the issue of Sweden and Finland’s entry into NATO), especially with the EU, are pushing Turkey to look at new emerging blocs such as the BRICS for diversify their alliances.
Joining BRICS is a complex challenge for Turkey, which has deep ties to Western institutions. Its central role in NATO and economic integration with the European Union could limit Ankara’s room for maneuver. As Ülgen pointed out, although Turkey seeks to balance its relations between East and West, loosening ties with Western institutions, especially in the areas of security and trade, will not be easy.
What is Brics?
The BRICS represent an economic and political alliance formed in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and Chinato which was added the South Africa in 2011. The group aims to promote greater cooperation among emerging economies and counter the hegemony of Western institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. In recent years, the BRICS have expanded their influence with the creation of instruments such as the New Development Bank, designed to finance infrastructure projects in member countries.
The group represents nearly 45% of the world’s population and 28% of global GDP. In addition, the BRICS hold a significant share of the planet’s natural resources, including producing about 44% of the world’s oil.
The expansion towards the format Brics Pluswith the invitation to countries like Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia and United Arab Emiratesrepresents well the goal of creating a alternative economic block to Western institutions, encouraging cooperation among emerging economies and reducing dependence on the US dollar.
Who is there and who wants to join the BRICS?
The BRICS group currently consists of the five founding members, but in recent years it has expanded with new candidate and observer members. Egypt, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates and Iran are among the countries recently invited to join the alliance. They are joined by a long list of countries that have expressed interest in joining the BRICS, including Argentina, Algeria and Bangladeshbringing the total potential candidates to approximately 30 nations.
Among the new candidates, the following stands out: Türkiyewhich, if accepted, would be the first NATO member to join the alliance. This is no small step, as it marks a change in the global geopolitical scenario: Turkey’s entry into the BRICS could imply a reorganization of its traditional ties with the West.
Although the formal membership application has not yet been confirmed, the Kazan Summit could represent a key moment in clarifying the future of the Turkish candidacy.
Who will attend the summit in Russia?
The BRICS summit will be held in the Russian city of Kazan from the October 22-24, 2024. In addition to the founding members and the new invited countries, the participation of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan It will be one of the most anticipated moments. Ankara confirmed that Erdoğan accepted the invitation of the Russian president Vladimir Putin and his presence will be carefully observed, particularly with regards to the rumour about Turkey’s possible accession to the BRICS.
The participation of Xi JinpingChinese president, was confirmed by Putin himself during a meeting with the Chinese vice president Han Zheng to theEastern Economic Forum Vladivostok. Russia and China’s cooperation within the BRICS is being watched closely, as both countries share the goal of countering what they see as Western hegemony and promoting a multipolar world orderXi Jinping’s presence at the summit will certainly strengthen ties between Moscow and Beijing and provide a platform to expand economic and political cooperation between the two powers.
Even theArmenia will attend the Kazan summit, as confirmed by the Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan.
