What does Turkey’s BRICS application mean?

Turkey’s application to join BRICS has sparked discussions about the country’s foreign policy direction. CNBC’s analysis describes Turkey’s potential BRICS membership as both a strategic and symbolic move, highlighting the increasing global influence of the country, home to 85 million people.

According to George Dyson, a senior analyst at Control Risks, Turkey has been a long-time ally of the West, and joining BRICS aligns with its broader geopolitical journey. Dyson emphasized that this doesn’t signify a complete departure from the West but reflects Turkey’s aim to diversify its trade relationships.

Former White House and State Department official Matthew Bryza noted that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his government were seeking to secure national interests through this move.

Economist Arda Tunca added that Turkey wanted to “board the BRICS train” before too late, suggesting that although it might be early to call BRICS a full alternative to the West, the intent seemed to be to position BRICS, particularly under China’s leadership, as a counterweight to Western influence.

The upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled for October 22-24 in Kazan, Russia, is expected to focus on the bloc’s potential expansion, with Turkey’s membership being a significant topic. (Article by ekonomim.com – translated by BTT)