Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street

Bid to join BRICS aimed at expanding alliances beyond West: Erdogan

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 2 Sep 2024 16:54
4 Min Read

Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party has frequently accused Western nations of obstructing Turkey's aspirations for a self-sufficient defense industry and a robust economy.

Listen
  • x
  • People watch Turkey's Forces parade for Victory Day, in Istanbul, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP)
    People watch Turkey's Forces parade for Victory Day, in Istanbul, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP)

During a speech in Istanbul on Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the prospect of Turkey becoming a "strong, prosperous, prestigious, and effective country if it improves its relations with the East and the West simultaneously," adding: "Any method other than this will not benefit Turkey, but will harm it."

These remarks come in light of recent revelations that Turkey has applied to join the BRICS organization, a move that reflects Ankara's desire to expand its global influence and diversify its alliances beyond traditional Western partners.

Sources informed Bloomberg that Turkey submitted its application to join BRICS several months ago. This decision is seen as part of a broader strategy by Erdogan's administration, which perceives the geopolitical center of gravity as shifting away from developed economies. The application was made amid ongoing frustrations over the lack of progress in Turkey's decades-old bid to join the EU and growing rifts with NATO allies due to Turkey's decision to maintain close ties with Russia amid the war with Ukraine. Both Turkey’s foreign ministry and presidency have declined to comment on the application.

Read more: Turkey's BRICS membership 'inevitable' despite US pressure: Opposition

BRICS, an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, represents some of the world’s most significant emerging economies. At the start of this year, the group expanded to include Iran, the UAE, Ethiopia, and Egypt. Saudi Arabia has also been invited to join but has yet to accept.

Further discussions on BRICS expansion are expected at a summit in Kazan, Russia, from October 22-24. Countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Azerbaijan are also reportedly interested in joining.

Related News

'Turkey has won': Erdogan hails PKK disarmament

Iraq welcomes PKK’s disarmament as step toward regional stability

The BRICS bloc promotes itself as an alternative to Western-dominated institutions such as the World Bank and IMF. For new members, joining BRICS could mean access to financing through its development bank and the opportunity to broaden their political and trading relationships.

Facing a Dilemma?

Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party has frequently accused Western nations of obstructing Turkey's aspirations for a self-sufficient defense industry and a robust economy. Erdogan has consistently called for reforms to the UN Security Council to include more nations beyond the current five permanent members and has shown interest in joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), established by Russia and China as a counterbalance to NATO.

"We do not have to choose between the EU and the SCO as some people claim," Erdogan said. "On the contrary, we have to develop our relations with both these and other organizations on a win-win basis."

China has been a key driver of BRICS expansion, aiming to enhance its global influence by engaging countries traditionally aligned with the United States. Turkey views BRICS membership as an opportunity to improve economic cooperation with Russia and China and position itself as a trade conduit between the EU and Asia. The country also seeks to become a hub for gas exports from Russia and Central Asia.

Read more: Turkey's potential BRICS accession to enhance bloc's operations

In recent months, Erdogan's government has been actively courting investment from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, who could leverage Turkey's customs union with the EU to expand their market access.

"BRICS is an organization that increases the diversity of approaches, identities, and politics in the global economic system," Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said after attending a BRICS foreign ministers meeting in June.

Despite its bid for BRICS membership, Turkey is also making efforts to rejuvenate its EU membership talks. Fidan recently reiterated that joining the EU remains "a strategic target" after attending informal talks with EU counterparts for the first time in five years.

  • Turkey
  • Nato
  • BRICS
  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS