Türkiye weighs economic opportunities in joining BRICS Amid geopolitical challenges

Türkiye is actively evaluating its potential participation in BRICS as a platform for enhancing economic cooperation, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.

Speaking at the Turkish Center for Strategic Studies (SETA), Fidan described Türkiye's entry into BRICS as a "work in progress," emphasizing that the organization is currently undergoing significant discussions regarding its identity and institutional structure, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

Fidan acknowledged the influence of various geopolitical factors on BRICS, particularly the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the competitive dynamics between the United States and China. He warned that these developments could pose risks to BRICS, which was initially established as an economic alliance, potentially shifting its focus towards political agendas.

In addressing Türkiye's ambitions to join BRICS, Fidan urged a departure from Cold War-era thinking, which often categorized nations in binary terms of pro-Western or Eastern alliances. He highlighted the importance of aligning Türkiye's foreign policy with the country's interests rather than adhering to outdated frameworks.

He also noted Türkiye's extensive economic interests that span the Turkic region, the European Union, and beyond, including opportunities for collaboration with the US, Canada, and China. Fidan emphasized that Türkiye aims to navigate these relationships while prioritizing its own trade and national interests in line with international standards.

“We are working to implement this strategy in a way that prioritizes our trade and national interests while adhering to international rules and values. However, we are not naive about the situation. We recognize the realities of international polarization, contradictions, and competition,” the minister stated.