ALBAWABA- Turkey has formally submitted a bid to join the BRICS bloc, marking a significant move in its strategy to diversify international relations.
The announcement was made by Omer Celik, spokesperson for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), who confirmed that the process to join BRICS is now underway.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has repeatedly emphasized Turkey's desire to be part of all key global platforms, including BRICS.
This bid is seen as part of Turkey's broader efforts to enhance economic ties with major powers like Russia and China, and to serve as a bridge for trade between the European Union and Asia.
The BRICS group, founded in 2009, originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and has since expanded to welcome new members, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE in 2024.
The bloc’s Development Bank offers an alternative to Western financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank, providing Turkey with potential new avenues for investment and economic collaboration.
Despite its bid to join BRICS, Turkey remains committed to its NATO obligations, underscoring its strategic balancing act between East and West.
This move aligns with Turkey's ongoing efforts to recalibrate its foreign policy, including initiatives like the $20 billion Development Road Project with Qatar, Iraq, and the UAE, and maintaining relations with Russia amidst Western sanctions.
Turkey's recent foreign policy maneuvers, including its bid to join BRICS, reflect its pursuit of a more multipolar world order, seeking to strengthen its geopolitical influence and economic ties across multiple regions.
