Turkey has expressed its intention to join BRICS+, the group of emerging economies initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with the addition of South Africa in 2010, and Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran and the United Arab Emirates in 2024.
The country, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has always sought to diversify its economic and political alliances, seeking to balance relations with the West and open new avenues of cooperation with the East and the Global South. In this context, joining BRICS+ could represent a significant opportunity for Ankara to strengthen its position in a rapidly evolving geopolitical context.
Although no concrete steps towards accession have been taken yet, the spokesperson of the ruling AKP (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, Justice and Development Party) said that “the process is ongoing”.
Why is Turkey interested in BRICS+?
Turkey's interest in BRICS stems partly from the economic challenges it has faced in recent years, such as theinflation and the devaluation of the Turkish lira. Joining the group could open new doors, allowing the country to access larger markets and financial resources from other emerging economies, thus reducing its dependence on Western investments. In this way, Ankara could improve its economic weight within a broad network of rapidly growing nations.
Another crucial reason lies in strategic independence. Turkey has often sought to assert itself as an autonomous actor on the international stage, avoiding full alignment with the dynamics imposed by the great powers, especially between the United States, NATO and Russia. Joining BRICS would offer an alternative platform for political cooperation and the resolution of international tensions, strengthening Ankara's ability to move more freely in the geopolitical context.
In addition, Turkey's economy is increasingly oriented towards the regions of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, which are vital markets for the country's exports. Being part of BRICS, which already represents about 40% of the world's population and a third of global GDP, would allow Turkey to further strengthen trade ties with these regions and seize new economic opportunities within a bloc of countries that is constantly growing.
The Challenges of Membership
Despite the potential benefits, Turkey may face several challenges in its bid to join BRICS+. One of the main difficulties concerns geopolitical balances. Turkey is still a leading member of NATO and maintains historical and strategic relations with the West. BRICS membership could complicate these relations, especially in a context of growing rivalry between the United States and China. Ankara will have to manage a delicate balance between strengthening its relations with the emerging bloc and maintaining its Western alliances, trying to avoid a choice in one direction negatively affecting the other.
Another challenge lies within BRICS itself. Member countries do not always share a homogeneous vision on economic and geopolitical issues, as evidenced by the frequent disagreements between India and China. The entry of Turkey, with its specificities and national interests, could add further complexity to an already heterogeneous group.
Turkey's accession to BRICS could also provoke mixed reactions from traditional allies. Western countries could interpret this move as a signal of a departure from historical institutions and alliances, causing a potential cooling of diplomatic or economic relations with Europe and the United States. Ankara will have to be ready to manage the possible political consequences of a decision that could alter its international positioning.
If Turkey were to indeed join BRICS+, it would mark a significant shift in the global geopolitical balance. Ankara’s strategic location between Europe and Asia could turn it into a natural bridge between the emerging BRICS economies and the West, fostering greater economic and diplomatic interconnectivity. This entry could also inspire other emerging countries to consider joining BRICS, further expanding the bloc’s weight on the global stage and making it an increasingly relevant player in international dynamics.
Photo: presidency of the republic of Turkiye
