Turkey is making significant moves to join BRICS, an economic alliance of emerging powers, amidst rising tensions with the West. This strategic decision reflects Turkey's aim to enhance its global influence and economic cooperation with countries like Russia and China, while still aspiring to strengthen ties with the European Union. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government perceives a shift in geopolitical dynamics, recognizing the growing importance of emerging economies over advanced ones. The BRICS group, which has recently expanded to include nations such as Iran and the UAE, offers Turkey a platform to boost its economic prospects and political ties, particularly through its development bank. Analysts suggest that this move could provide Turkey with new financing opportunities and reinforce its role as a trade corridor between Europe and Asia. As Turkey navigates its relationship with both BRICS and the EU, it aims to balance its ambitions for economic growth with its strategic goals in Western alliances.
- Turkey's formal application to join BRICS comes at a time when its relations with NATO and the EU are strained, especially due to its close ties with Russia. Despite these tensions, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has reiterated that EU membership remains a 'strategic goal' for the country. The dual approach of engaging with BRICS while maintaining EU relations illustrates Turkey's desire to diversify its alliances and enhance its economic competitiveness on the global stage. This strategy could attract investments from Chinese companies, particularly in the electric vehicle sector, leveraging Turkey's customs union with the EU to facilitate access to European markets.
