Turkey has officially applied to join the BRICS alliance, a coalition of emerging economies advocating for a multipolar world order, Bloomberg reported on Monday. Ankara anticipates that the move will enhance its global influence and foster new ties with non-Western allies, the news agency stated. The application comes as Turkey seeks to diversify its economic and political partnerships amid growing discontent with the European Union. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his country’s desire to join BRICS for several years, and the formal application marks a significant step towards achieving this goal.
BRICS, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, was established in 2006 and has since expanded to include countries like Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. The alliance aims to amplify the voice of major emerging economies and counterbalance what it considers to be the Western-led global order. Turkey’s bid for BRICS membership is seen as part of its broader strategy to carve out a more independent foreign policy and enhance its global influence. The country, a NATO member, has been frustrated by the lack of progress in its membership talks with the European Union. Joining BRICS would provide Turkey with access to institutions like the New Development Bank, which finances infrastructure and sustainable development projects in developing countries.
The move has been welcomed by both Russia and China, who see Turkey’s potential membership as a way to strengthen their influence in the region. Turkish officials have repeatedly stated that potential membership in BRICS would not affect Turkey’s responsibilities to the Western military alliance. The application process is expected to take some time, and it remains to be seen whether Turkey will be granted full membership or a partner country status. However, the formal application marks a significant step towards Turkey’s goal of diversifying its international alliances and enhancing its global influence.
