ANKARA: Turkey has submitted a formal request to join the BRICS group of major emerging market nations, the spokesman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday.
The AKP spokesman Omer Celik confirmed the development at a news conference, stating, “Our president has many times stated that we want to become a BRICS member. The process is now underway.” This move marks Turkey’s strategic effort to align itself with a group that has become a significant counterbalance to Western-dominated global institutions.
The BRICS group, originally composed of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, was established as an international forum in 2009. South Africa joined the group a year later, leading to its current designation as BRICS.
BRICS views itself as a counterweight to the US and Western-led global order, emphasizing the promotion of a multipolar world. Turkey’s bid to join reflects its aspiration to enhance its role in global economic and political arenas, as well as its desire to engage with a broader coalition of emerging economies.
“Our president has clearly stated that Turkey wants to take part in all important platforms, including BRICS,” Celik said.
Erdogan said in June that he does not view BRICS membership as an alternative to membership in other groups, and the country officially remains a candidate to join the European Union.
