Analyst: Türkiye’s BRICS membership could alter dynamics with West

BRICS membership is set to open new opportunities for Türkiye in its relations with the West, according to political analyst Serhat Latifoglu.

“Türkiye has long sought to join BRICS. I don't believe Ankara is leveraging this as a bargaining chip with the West, but it can play a role in its dealings with Western nations,” Latifoglu explained, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

He referenced Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's remarks, noting that if Brussels approves Türkiye's EU membership, Ankara would not seek alternatives.

Latifoglu emphasized that the political influence of BRICS is continually rising and will aid in shielding Türkiye from the economic pressures exerted by its Western allies.

On September 2, Türkiye was reported to be the first and only NATO member asking to join the BRICS economic group of nations.

BRICS, an interstate association established in 2006, originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa later joined, and starting in 2024, the group will also welcome Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia.

Other countries seeking to join BRICS include Azerbaijan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Chad, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Honduras, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uganda, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

The next BRICS summit is scheduled to take place in Kazan from October 22 to 24.

By Tamilla Hasanova