Fri 15 November 2024 ▪
4
min reading ▪ acc
As the world redefines its economic and political alliances, Turkey finds itself at the center of global dynamics. Seeking greater influence on the international stage, Ankara is now moving closer to BRICS, a bloc of emerging nations that 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. The decision, which brings hope for Ankara, opens the prospect of cooperation, but calls into question the geopolitical and economic implications of this rapprochement.
Turkey becomes a BRICS partner
In an announcement delivered by Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat, BRICS offered Turkey “partner” status. The progress comes just two months after Ankara officially applied for full membership in the bloc. “They have decided to offer us the status of a partner country, which represents a transitional step in their organizational structure,” said Bolat. The minister also clarified that this decision was approved at the Kazan summit where BRICS heads of state met to discuss the expansion of the organization.
This transitional state reflects Ankara’s ambitions to join this group, which represents nearly 46% of the world’s population and a substantial share of global GDP. Through this partnership position, Turkey hopes to strengthen its economic ties with influential members such as China and Russia, and to expand its alliances beyond NATO and the European Union, partnerships where tensions have risen in recent years.
Strategic Implications for Turkey and BRICS
This rapprochement with the BRICS does not mean renouncing Turkey’s traditional alliances. Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized that the goal is 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 comply with our commitments to NATO,” he said on the sidelines of the summit.
However, this partnership brings problems. Within BRICS, members’ interests are not always aligned, and Turkey will have to tread carefully to avoid disagreements. In addition, some observers see this strategy as an attempt by Ankara to rebalance its relations with Europe, especially in the face of the stagnation of negotiations on accession to the European Union.
In the long term, Turkey’s partial integration into BRICS could signal a shift towards a multipolar global economy. Moreover, by engaging in diversified networks, Ankara demonstrates a desire to expand its influence, mitigate the risks associated with excessive dependence on the West, and benefit from various development projects.
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A graduate of Sciences Po Toulouse and holder of the blockchain consultant certification issued by Alyra, I joined the Cointribune adventure in 2019. Convinced of the potential of blockchain to transform many sectors of the economy, I made a commitment to raise awareness and inform the general public about this ever-evolving ecosystem. My goal is to enable everyone to better understand blockchain and take advantage of the opportunities it offers. Every day I try to provide an objective analysis of current events, decipher market trends, convey the latest technological innovations and put into perspective the economic and social problems of this ongoing revolution.
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