Türkiye’s BRICS Partnership: Strengthening Eastern and Western Relations
Türkiye has taken a significant step in its diplomatic and economic journey as it considers an offer from the BRICS group of nations for partner country status, according to Trade Minister Ömer Bolat. This development aligns with Türkiye’s broader strategy to balance its ties between the East and the West while leveraging its position as a NATO member.
What Is BRICS and Why Türkiye Is Interested
The BRICS group, representing some of the world’s most prominent emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the UAE—has expanded its influence in recent months. Türkiye, already a key player in global geopolitics, has expressed a strong interest in becoming a full member of BRICS to further economic cooperation with its member states.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been vocal about Türkiye’s ambition to join BRICS, which was further highlighted by his participation in a recent summit held in Kazan, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the summit, Türkiye officially took steps to advance its bid for membership.
Partner Status: A Transition to Full Membership
Speaking to TVNet, Minister Bolat explained the significance of the partner country status offered to Türkiye:
“This status represents a transitional phase within BRICS’ organisational framework,” he stated.
While the offer does not equate to full membership, it provides Türkiye with an opportunity to deepen its ties with BRICS nations and expand collaborative projects, particularly in trade and infrastructure development.
Balancing NATO Commitments and Eastern Opportunities
Türkiye’s government has made it clear that potential BRICS membership would complement, not conflict with, its responsibilities as a NATO member. President Erdoğan views BRICS as a platform to strengthen economic partnerships without undermining Türkiye’s ties with Western allies.
Turkish officials also emphasise that their BRICS aspirations are not intended to replace existing Western relationships but rather to diversify and enhance economic opportunities globally.
A New Partner Category
At the Kazan summit, BRICS members introduced the partner country category as a means to broaden engagement with non-member nations. The Kazan Declaration, issued on 23 October, formalised this new classification. While the offer of partner status marks progress, it falls short of Türkiye’s goal of attaining full membership.
An official from Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AK Party) commented that partner country status was discussed during the summit but may not fully meet Türkiye’s expectations for BRICS involvement.
Türkiye’s Strategic Position
For Türkiye, the BRICS partnership offers a chance to enhance trade ties, foster investment, and collaborate on infrastructure projects with some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. As a bridge between Europe and Asia, Türkiye’s strategic location uniquely positions it to play a pivotal role in BRICS’ future expansion and economic initiatives.
Looking Ahead
As Türkiye weighs its options, the potential partnership with BRICS could serve as a stepping stone toward full membership. Whether Ankara chooses to accept this transitional status will likely depend on its ability to align its goals within BRICS with its commitments to NATO and the broader Western alliance.
