Turkey-BRICS Alliance : What It Means For Geopolitics ?

As the world redefines its economic and political alliances, Turkey is placing itself at the heart of global dynamics. In search of increased influence on the international stage, Ankara is now getting closer to the BRICS, this bloc of emerging nations that asserts itself as a strategic counterweight to traditional Western powers. The recent Kazan summit was marked by the announcement of granting Turkey a “partner” status. This decision, full of hope for Ankara, opens up prospects for cooperation, but raises questions about the geopolitical and economic implications of this rapprochement.

Turkey Becomes a Partner of the BRICS

During an announcement relayed by the Turkish Minister of Trade, Omer Bolat, the BRICS offered Turkey a “partner” status. This development comes just two months after Ankara’s official application for full membership in the bloc. “They have decided to offer us the status of partner country, which represents a transitional step in their organizational structure,” declared Bolat. The minister also specified that this decision was ratified at the Kazan summit, where the heads of state of the BRICS gathered to discuss the expansion of the organization.

This interim status reflects Ankara’s ambition to integrate into this group, which represents nearly 46% of the world’s population and a substantial share of global GDP. Thanks to 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.

The Strategic Implications for Turkey and the BRICS

This rapprochement with the BRICS does not signify a renunciation of Turkey’s traditional alliances. Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized 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 uphold our commitments to NATO,” he affirmed on the sidelines of the summit.

However, this partnership comes with challenges. Within the BRICS, the interests of the members are not always aligned, and Turkey will need to navigate carefully to avoid disagreements. Moreover, some observers see this strategy as an attempt by Ankara to rebalance its relations with Europe, particularly in light of the stagnation of accession negotiations with the European Union.

In the longer term, Turkey’s partial integration into the BRICS could signal a shift towards a multipolar world economy. Furthermore, through its insertion into diversified networks, Ankara demonstrates a willingness to extend its influence, mitigate the risks associated with excessive dependence on the West, and take advantage of various development projects.