While the world is redefining its economic and political alliances, Turkey is inserting itself at the heart of global dynamics. In search of increased influence on the international scene, Ankara is now moving closer to the BRICS, this bloc of emerging nations which is establishing itself as a strategic counterweight to traditional Western powers. The recent Kazan summit was marked by the announcement of the granting of “partner” status to Turkey. This decision, bringing hope for Ankara, opens up prospects for cooperation, but calls into question the geopolitical and economic implications of this rapprochement.
Turkey becomes BRICS partner
In an announcement relayed by the Turkish Minister of Commerce, Omer Bolat, the BRICS offered Turkey “partner” status. This progress comes only two months after Ankara's official application for full membership in the bloc. “They have decided to offer us partner country status, which represents a transitional step in their organizational structure,” he said. declared Bolat. The minister also clarified that this decision was endorsed at the Kazan summit, where BRICS heads of state met to discuss the expansion of the organization.
This intermediate status reflects Ankara's ambition to integrate into this group, which represents almost 46% of the world's population and a substantial share of global GDP. Through this partner position, Turkey hopes to strengthen its economic relations with influential members such as China and Russia, and to diversify its alliances beyond NATO and the European Union, partnerships where tensions have increased in recent years.
Strategic implications for Turkey and BRICS
This rapprochement with the BRICS does not mean a renunciation of Turkey's traditional alliances. Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that the goal was not to replace relations with the West, but to complement them. “We see this cooperation as an opportunity to strengthen our economic and political ties with the East without ceasing to maintain our commitments to NATO,” he said on the sidelines of the summit.
However, this partnership comes with challenges. Within BRICS, members' interests are not always aligned, and Turkey will need to navigate carefully to avoid disagreements. Furthermore, some observers see this strategy as an attempt by Ankara to rebalance its relations with Europe, particularly in the face of the stagnation of negotiations for accession to the European Union.
In the longer term, Turkey's partial integration into BRICS could signal a shift towards a multipolar global economy. Furthermore, through its insertion into diversified networks, Ankara demonstrates a desire to broaden its influence, to mitigate the risks linked to excessive dependence on the West, and to benefit from various development projects.
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