Bulent Gökay

Opinion | Turkey’s Brics bid reflects its desire to a forge path between East and West

Ankara’s decision could be a strategy to strengthen relations with non-Western powers, but it’s also about chasing more trade

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Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) shakes hands with Russia’s Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Brics summit in Kazan on Wednesday. Photo: Turkish Presidency Press Office / AFP

Bulent Gökay

Published: 10:30am, 26 Oct 2024Updated: 4:05pm, 26 Oct 2024

In a significant diplomatic manoeuvre that may have far-reaching implications for the international system of alliances, Turkey has submitted a formal request to join Brics, the group of emerging-market economies, signalling its intent to diversify its partnerships beyond the West.

The Brics grouping, named after Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, comprises some of the world’s largest economies. Earlier this year, it welcomed four new members: Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Egypt. Although Saudi Arabia has been invited to join, the official process is yet to take place. Often viewed as an alternative to Western-led organisations such as the EU, G7 and Nato, Brics signifies a significant shift in global power dynamics.

Ankara’s decision could be a strategy to strengthen relations with non-Western powers as the global economy’s centre continues to shift away from the West, but it is also about chasing more trade with Brics members.

Announced ahead of the Brics summit that opened on Tuesday, Turkey’s application has raised questions about the broader implications for its role within Nato. If accepted, Turkey would be the first Nato member of Brics. However, this is not to say that Turkey is entirely turning away from the West. Turkey’s institutional ties with the Western world run deep. At most, this move signals the intention of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to increase the government’s flexibility in its foreign relations.

Erdogan said on September 1 that this move showed Ankara’s aims to cultivate ties with all sides simultaneously to “become a strong, prosperous, prestigious and effective country if it improves its relations with the East and the West simultaneously”.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (left) on the sidelines of a Nato summit in Washington in July. Photo: Greek Prime Minister’s Office/Handout via Reuters

Turkey’s acceptance into the group is likely to have been discussed during the 16th Brics summit, in Kazan, Russia. Malaysia, Thailand and Azerbaijan are among other countries expecting to join.